President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's call for the resignation of his senior military commander, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, on Monday was met with refusal, raising speculation that Zaluzhnyi might face dismissal instead.
Tensions between the two have been escalating for weeks, exacerbated by the failure of Ukraine's summer counter-offensive. The surprising request for Zaluzhnyi's resignation is believed to stem from personality clashes, with allegations that Zelenskiy's office is concerned about the general making political statements rather than strictly military ones.
Oleksii Goncharenko, a Ukrainian opposition MP and an ally of Zaluzhnyi, expressed his disapproval, attributing the conflict to personal differences. He suggested that Zelenskiy might proceed to dismiss Zaluzhnyi, pending public and international reactions.
Speculation regarding Zaluzhnyi's potential replacement centers on Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, known for overseeing covert operations against Moscow. The Defense Ministry swiftly denied Zelenskiy's request, but the matter remains uncertain.
Amidst Russia's entrenched positions and Ukraine's urgent need for a $61 billion military aid package from the U.S., the situation is complex. Democrats accuse Republicans of jeopardizing the aid deal for Ukraine to advance their immigration policy agenda. French President Emmanuel Macron urges European leaders to expedite aid to Ukraine, emphasizing the high costs of a Russian victory.
The conflict between Zelenskiy and his top general appears not only military but political, with Zaluzhnyi being a popular figure in the country and speculated as a potential challenger to Zelenskiy in fresh elections. While Zaluzhnyi suggested a war stalemate in a November interview, Zelenskiy dismissed it, emphasizing the potential breakthrough with incoming F-16 fighter jets.
Zelenskiy previously warned generals against entering politics, considering it a "huge mistake." Leaked polling data in December hinted at Zaluzhnyi being a leading challenger in a hypothetical runoff against Zelenskiy. Analysts suggest that the leaks about Zaluzhnyi's dismissal might be aimed at gauging public opinion, potentially playing into Russia's attempts to destabilize Ukrainian unity.