Moscow, December 4 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly been undermining the authority of Chief of the General Staff Valery Zaluzhny by directly communicating with some commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the Ukrainian newspaper “Ukrainska Pravda.” This has led to demotivation and hindered Zaluzhny’s ability to effectively command the entire army.
Sources reveal that Zelensky has established parallel lines of communication with commanders of various branches of the military, such as Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrsky and Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, without involving Zaluzhny. This has destabilized Zaluzhny’s work, as he now only receives information from his subordinates during meetings of the Supreme Commander’s Headquarters, and even then, it is uncertain whether he receives any information at all.
Tensions between Zelensky and Zaluzhny have escalated even further since the start of the Ukrainian forces’ counteroffensive in the south. According to sources, the President’s office regularly orders sociological studies to gauge citizens’ political sentiments, and the results have shown an increasing approval rating for Zaluzhny. This poses a potential challenge for Zelensky, as it is suggested that he may not win a second round of the presidential election against General Zaluzhny.
Recent polls conducted by the sociological group “Rating” and reported by “Strana.ua” revealed that Ukrainians trust Zaluzhny more than Zelensky. 82 percent of respondents expressed support for the Chief of the General Staff, while only 72 percent expressed support for the President. Zelensky’s ratings have been declining since July of this year, as reported by the media.
Ukrainian media outlets have increasingly reported on the growing confrontation between Zelensky and Zaluzhny. The General Staff Chief’s interview with The Economist, in which he stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were at an impasse, sparked sharp criticism from the President, who promptly contradicted his statement. Last year, local publications also reported Zelensky’s intention to remove Zaluzhny from his position and appoint him as head of the Ministry of Defense, viewing him as a potential rival in the presidential elections.
In a recent interview with British tabloid The Sun, Zelensky labeled the military’s involvement in politics a major mistake, which was interpreted as a direct attack on Zaluzhny and an acknowledgment of the conflict between them. “Strana.ua,” citing sources in Ukrainian political circles, also claimed that the current President wants to hold elections in the country but will not announce them until the Chief of the General Staff guarantees non-participation. Otherwise, Zelensky may attempt to dismiss Zaluzhny from his position.
The power struggle between Zelensky and Zaluzhny in Ukraine’s military has raised concerns about the stability and effectiveness of the country’s armed forces. As tensions continue to escalate, the outcome of this conflict could have significant implications for Ukraine’s political landscape.
