User blog comment:Draevan13/Great Elder Scrolls Youtube videos./@comment-1600847-20131119052606/@comment-1600847-20131120044101

You know, it is possible for people to want more than one thing, especially if one thing greatly helps secure another. He can both want to be High King and want to kill the Thalmor. I know Ulfric hates them with a burning passion.

Well yes, Tullius wants all the Stormcloak Jarls gone, but not so that he can be High King (he never will in name or essence, Elisif will). The Empire wants Elisif on the Throne since they think the Thalmor are getting ready for Round 2 on Cyrodiil's southern border, and if they have a full Legion in Skyrim putzing around that could be fortifying the border, they want the War over with quickly. Removing all the S-Jarls (Stormcloak Jarls shortened) is the quickest way to do get Elisif elected.