[TrumpCard]

I come away from those articles thinking: 

(1) The West wants Ukraine to hold the elections.  The West holds the purse strings, so I suspect Ukraine will try pretty hard to find a way to comply (but of course that part is speculation, plus Ukraine might fail even if it were to try).   

(2) If elections are held in March 2024, or close to that time, VZ will almost certainly run (absent a really significant change in circumstances).

I'm not sure any solid information in your links say that VZ would vanquish all challengers in 2024.  Nevertheless, but I tend to buy your statement that VZ would have a strong edge on the competition if the election were held today.  Of course you're right that sentiment in Ukraine could change, but that's speculation.  The sources for the Yahoo article do sound negative/pessimistic, but I'm not sure that such attitudes imply VZ won't get re-elected.  The VZ allies actually sound beaten down by the war and sound like they want out of government.  Since insiders often are the most successful challengers, the fact that insiders in VZ's government aren't inspiring anyone seems to suggest that VZ doesn't have to worry about a disloyal lieutenant.

All the usual caveats here.  I know nothing and I could be very wrong.  Etc.

[TrumpCard]

I come away from those articles thinking: 

(1) The West wants Ukraine to hold the elections.  The West holds the purse strings, so I suspect Ukraine will try pretty hard to find a way to comply (but of course that part is speculation, plus Ukraine might fail even if it were to try).   

(2) If elections are held in March 2024, or close to that time, VZ will almost certainly run (absent a really significant change in circumstances).

I'm not sure any solid information in your links say that VZ would vanquish all challengers in 2024.  Nevertheless, but I tend to buy your statement that VZ would have a strong edge on the competition if the election were held today.  Of course you're right that sentiment in Ukraine could change, but that's speculation.  The sources for the Yahoo article do sound negative/pessimistic, but I'm not sure that such attitudes imply VZ won't get re-elected.  The VZ allies actually sound beaten down by the war and sound like they want out of government.  Since insiders often are the most successful challengers, the fact that insiders in VZ's government aren't inspiring anyone seems to suggest that VZ doesn't have to worry about a disloyal lieutenant.

All the usual caveats here.  I know nothing and I could be very wrong.  Etc.