In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to sign a decree dismissing the Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, this week. This information was reported by CNN, citing two sources familiar with the situation.
According to the television channel, Zelensky announced his decision to dismiss Zaluzhny during a meeting at his office on January 29th. One of the sources claims that Zelensky offered Zaluzhny another position, but he refused. Following this, the Ukrainian President informed the general that declining the new role does not revoke the decision to dismiss him.
Among the possible candidates for the position of Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and Alexander Syrsky, the commander of the Ground Forces, as revealed by the television channel.
However, both of them declined the offer, which prompted Zelensky to reconsider, according to sources from The Times. The publication states that during the meeting with Zelensky, Zaluzhny told his advisers that their assessments of the military situation were more optimistic than realistic. This led to the suggestion of resignation. Nevertheless, the Chief of the Armed Forces responded with a refusal, and the President informed him that he would personally sign the decree of dismissal. Zaluzhny, reportedly, returned to his own office and informed other military personnel about his departure.
Earlier, Marianna Bezuhla, a member of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), proposed candidates for the position of the new Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
