As of: January 31, 2024, 11:24 a.m
By: Erkan Pehlivan
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Press
Split
In Ukraine, the power struggle between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his commander-in-chief Valery Zalushny (2nd from left) continues.
© afp
The conflict between President Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Zalushny is escalating.
His dismissal has already been decided.
Then comes the turnaround.
Kiev - In Ukraine, the power struggle between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his commander-in-chief Valery Zalushny continues.
According to consistent media reports, Volodymyr Zelensky is said to have tried to fire Saluzhny in the middle of the Ukraine war.
However, under pressure from the USA and Great Britain as well as high-ranking military officials, Zelensky had to reverse this decision, the British
Times
reported .
The
Guardian
, citing opposition MPs, reported that the president asked Saluzhny to resign on January 29, but he refused.
The New York Times
also
reported on Zelensky's plan.
Tensions between Zelensky and Saluzhny are increasing
For weeks, relations between Zelensky and Saluzhny have been strained in view of the failed counteroffensive.
The 50-year-old Salushnyj became commander in chief of the army a few months before the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Under his command, Ukrainian troops withstood the invasion and even recaptured occupied territories.
The general is considered popular among his soldiers and the population.
That's why he was said to have political ambitions, which he denied.
The
Times
now reported that, according to senior officers, Zalushnyj was summoned to a personal meeting with Zelenskyj on Monday.
There he told the presidential advisers that their assessments of the military situation were more positive than realistic.
He was then asked to resign.
When he refused, Zelensky said he would sign a decree for his dismissal.
Ukraine denies reports of Saluzhny's dismissal
However, potential successors are said to have rejected the offer to take over the office of commander-in-chief.
As a result, Zelensky was forced to back down and initially stick with Saluzhny, the report continued.
On Monday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry had already contradicted reports about the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Saluzhny.
“Dear journalists, we answer everyone at the same time: That’s not true,” the ministry said on Telegram.
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Firing Saluzhny would have unforeseeable consequences for Ukraine
Experts warn of unforeseeable consequences if the Ukrainian commander-in-chief is removed.
Although the Ukrainian defense minister is the most important interlocutor with foreign states on military support issues, requests for support from allies and partners are primarily based on the priorities set by General Saluzhny and his command staff, writes military expert Mick Ryan on his blog Futura Doctrina.
The commander-in-chief also maintains close relations with the military chiefs of the USA and NATO, who are an excellent interlocutor for both sides and are crucial for the implementation of the military aid obtained by the Ukrainian defense minister.
According to Ryan, critics of the aid in the US Congress in particular could see the cancellation as government instability.
That would be a reason to block aid for the country.
A removal of Saluzhnyj could also strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin would act as if he was on the way to victory in Ukraine.
This could further strengthen Putin, especially in the run-up to the Russian elections.
“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.
(erpe/dpa)