As of: January 31, 2024, 12:47 p.m
By: Erkan Pehlivan
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Relations between Zelensky and Saluzhny are tense.
A failed firing attempt raises questions about the stability of Ukraine's leadership.
Kiev - The political dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his commander-in-chief Valery Zalushny remains unresolved.
It is reported that Zelensky tried to fire Saluzhny in the middle of the war in Ukraine, as various media outlets consistently report.
The British newspaper
Times
reported that Zelensky was forced to reverse his decision due to pressure from the United States and Britain, as well as from senior military officials.
The Guardian
quotes opposition MPs
as saying that the president asked Zalushnyj to resign on January 29, but he refused.
The New York Times also reported on Zelensky's plans.
Tensions between Zelensky and Saluzhny are increasing
Relations between Zelensky and Zalushny have been tense for weeks, particularly due to the failed counteroffensive.
Salushny, 50, was appointed commander-in-chief of the army a few months before the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Under his leadership, Ukrainian troops were able to withstand the invasion and even recapture occupied territories.
Saluzhny is very popular among his soldiers and the population, which has led to speculation about his political ambitions, which he has denied.
According to the
Times
, Zalushnyy was invited to a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy on Monday.
There he told the president's advisers that their assessments of the military situation were more optimistic than realistic.
He was then asked to resign.
When he refused, Zelensky announced that he would sign a decree dismissing him.
This handout photo taken and released by the Ukrainian presidential press service on November 3, 2023 shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny (2nd from left) visiting a training center.
© afp
Ukraine denies reports of Saluzhny's dismissal
However, possible successors rejected the offer to take over the office of commander-in-chief.
This forced Zelensky to reverse his decision and stick with Saluzhny for the time being, the report continued.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry already contradicted reports on Monday that Commander-in-Chief Zalushnyj would be fired.
“Dear journalists, we answer everyone at the same time: That’s not true,” said the ministry’s statement on Telegram.
Experts warn of the possible consequences of removing the Ukrainian commander-in-chief.
Ukraine's defense minister may be the main point of contact for foreign states on military assistance, but requests for support from allies and partners are largely based on the priorities set by General Saluzhny and his senior staff, writes military expert Mick Ryan on his Blog
Futura Doctrina
.
Saluzhny also maintains close relations with US and NATO military chiefs, who are an excellent interlocutor for both sides and are crucial to implementing the military aid obtained by the Ukrainian defense minister.
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Firing Saluzhny would have unforeseeable consequences for Ukraine
Ryan points out that critics of the aid in the US Congress in particular could see the withdrawal as government instability.
This could be a reason to block support for the country.
A removal of Saluzhny could also strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin acts as if he is on the way to victory in Ukraine.
This could further strengthen Putin, especially in the run-up to the elections in Russia.
“While removing the commander in chief is the right of a civilian leader in any democracy, it will come with political and informational costs,” warns Ryan.
This text was created using artificial intelligence and carefully checked by editor Bedrettin Bölükbasi.