by The Kyiv Independent news deskFebruary 5, 2024 12:26 AM
A reset of Ukraine’s leadership is necessary and could involve several personnel shakeups beyond the military, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Feb. 4 interview, according to Italian media outlet Rai News.
Responding to a question about a rumored dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, President Zelensky said he had a serious reset in mind that was not about a single person, but about the general direction of the country’s leadership.
The change could involve replacing a series of state leaders, he said, according to Rai News.
The remarks came during an interview broadcast by Italy’s TG1 television program.
Zaluzhnyi has served in his role as commander-in-chief since 2021 and enjoys overwhelming support among Ukrainians.
A December 2023 poll found that 72% of Ukrainians would disapprove of his resignation.
However, the relationship between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi has appeared to be strained for weeks, particularly after Nov. 1, when Zaluzhnyi described a potential “trap” of a prolonged war during an interview with the Economist.
Zelensky also said: “As far as ground war is concerned, it’s hit a stalemate, that’s a fact” https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/5/7440370/
Which is exactly what Zaluzhny already stated last year, when the president reacted angry to that prediction. Seems to me that it would be rather foolish to exchange the farsighted army leader who had been right all along.
Zelensky himself needs to be replaced. Keep Zaluzhny CiC, make Poroshenko president and Tymoshenko prime minister. Budanov and Groysman also should be in the government.
Budanov can’t be at a post in which is he kicking more Russian arsses than he currently is
He is made for his current job. I would say, don’t move him and give him as much freedom as possible.
Budanov is a hero.
^bert
I would really like to know more about Zelensky’s weird belief that a new armed forces leadership would lead to a better “general direction of the country’s leadership”. How shall this solve any of the current major problems?
– Will it make Rethuglicans pass the overdue arms delivery bill for Ukraine? Nope.
– Will it solve the urgent demand for new recruits? Not at all.
– Will it make other governments increase their financial and military help? No way.
– Will it increase ammunition supply? No sir.
– Will it stop RuSSian offensives that are putting the front under huge strain? Yet another no.
So, what exavtly shall be accomplished by replacing Zaluzhny, who had dutifully pointed out all those problems? This looks like shooting the messenger to me. Is Zelensky cracking under the huge pressure and engaging in wishful thinking now, replacing sound reasoning with a hope for miracles, or what’s behind that? This move doesn’t make any sense. He should rather replace Kuleba, for failing to push France, Italy and Spain into stronger support, or the ambassador to the US (who’s doing a miserable PR job), that may bring better rewards.
OFF TOPIC: Orban canceled the vote of Swedish admission in NATO!
Leadership is necessary? Indeed, it is. Who will assume Zelensky’s post?
That’s the urgent question, indeed, Mr. Ofp. Because most of the problems are political, so that’s where the reset should happen. Hmm, Klitschko just praised Zaluzhny and seems ready to take over…
I would like to see Klitschko as president. I think Zelensky is just plain exhausted and worn out.
Yeah, I’m afraid so, too. And I can’t blame him. He shouldered a much higher burden than any man should bear, for almost two years, and still put up a confident face and inspired people to keep up the fight. Job well done! But it seems, the setback with the arms deliveries of the US made him lose his nerves. If true, it would be better if he handed over the responsibility to someone else. Just please not Yermak, that shady character.