Ukraine: Against Its Commander-in-Chief, Could Zelensky Win the War?

For several months, tensions have simmered between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his general, Valery Zhaloz.

On Monday, the possible dismissal of the head of the armed forces spread in social networks and Ukrainian media.

We are taking stock, although this information is not, for the moment, effective.

Has the crisis reached its tipping point? For several months, tensions have been brewing in the highest offices in Ukraine. Between General Valery Zhaloz, who had been in the news since the start of the Russian invasion of his country, and Volodymyr Zelensky, relations were no longer good. To the point that the President of Ukraine asked the soldier to resign.

Yesterday the President asked Zaluzny to resign, but he refused

Oleksiy Goncharenko

On Monday January 29, an avalanche of publications, in social networks and Ukrainian media, effectively reported this request for resignation. Some claimed that the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, appointed to his post in 2021, a few months before the start of the Russian invasion, would be replaced by Kyrillo Budanov, the head of military intelligence, or the commander of the ground troops. Oleksandr Sirsky.

Some Ukrainian media then indicated that the head of state had met Valery Zalozhny on Monday and announced the decision to fire him. He would have instead offered him a position as ambassador or adviser, which the soldier refused. “Yesterday the President asked Zaluzny to resign, but he refused”Also said in the British media Tea guardianThis Tuesday, January 30, Ukrainian opposition MP, Oleksiy Goncharenko, which is also close to normal.

Speculations are still ongoing

The President denied the general’s dismissal, while on X, the Ministry of Defense wrote in a release that the dismissal had occurred: “Dear journalists, we immediately answer everyone: no, this is not true”. The message does not specify what subject it is referring to, assuming that everyone understands what it is referring to.

However, this speculation did not stop. “I think that is right, we are waiting for the President’s order” In this sense, a high-ranking military source told AFP. “Zaluzni’s resignation is only a matter of time and circumstances”Volodymyr Fesenko, a Ukrainian political analyst, commented on Facebook.

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According to highly placed Ukrainian sources, Volodymyr Zelenskyi and his staff have been criticizing Zaluzny and his staff for months for the lack of progress on the front. Some media also claim that the presidency is jealous of the general’s popularity. According to a poll published in December, the commander’s confidence rating has reached 92%, compared to 77% for Volodymyr Zelensky. In addition, the dismissal of a soldier would be viewed negatively by 72% of Ukrainians. The BBC’s Ukrainian service reports that Zalozny’s dismissal was postponed due to opposition from Kiev’s Western allies.

Meanwhile, this tension has not failed to comment on the Russian side. “There are many problems with the Kiev regime, things are not going well there”Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters. “It is clear that the failure of the (Ukrainian 2023) counter-offensive and the problems on the front lead to growing contradictions between the representatives of the Kyiv regime, both military and civilian”he added.