Recent reports of tensions between Ukraine’s top military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have sparked rumors of Zaluzhnyi’s potential dismissal. While Zelenskyy’s office and the Defense Ministry deny the rumors, the situation has raised concerns about potential repercussions for Ukraine, particularly as the country approaches the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Zaluzhnyi, an immensely popular military commander, is currently facing speculation about his resignation, which could mark the most significant shakeup in Ukraine’s military leadership since the Russian invasion. The country is grappling with severe ammunition and personnel shortages after a failed summer counteroffensive, posing challenges for Ukrainian troops engaged in prolonged battles.
An anonymous Ukrainian official disclosed that during a Monday meeting, Zelenskyy urged Zaluzhnyi to resign if they couldn’t find common ground on key issues. The official hinted at disagreements, with mobilization being a particular point of contention. Tensions between the two leaders are reportedly rising, and the official suggested that the general might not leave his post voluntarily.
Reports of Zaluzhnyi’s potential dismissal surfaced in Ukrainian media, with claims that Zelenskyy offered him an advisory role, which Zaluzhnyi rejected. Requests for comments from both the president’s and Zaluzhnyi’s offices remain unanswered, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
The possible departure of Zaluzhnyi comes at a critical time when Ukraine faces challenges in receiving much-needed military aid for the ongoing conflict. The U.S. Congress has yet to approve aid, and Ukrainian forces are fortifying their positions against advancing Russian troops.
Experts express concerns that Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Zaluzhnyi could have broader implications, with potential negative effects on Ukrainian morale and increased leverage for Russian propaganda. Oleksii Haran, research director at the Democratic Initiatives Foundation in Kyiv, emphasizes the importance of Zelenskyy providing a clear and justifiable explanation to the public.
Zaluzhnyi’s popularity across the country and within the military is significant, despite reported disagreements with Zelenskyy. The general’s previous statement to The Economist last year, stating that the conflict with Russia had stalemated, had caused friction with the president, who denied such a situation.
Russian state media has seized on the rumors, covering the story multiple times on flagship programs like “60 Minutes” and news bulletins. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, commented on the situation, emphasizing the problems within the Kyiv regime and predicting growing conflicts within both the military and civilian elite as Russia’s military operation continues.
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