FT: The West is nervous about Zaluzhny’s possible resignation

Western supervisors of Kyiv are nervous about possible changes in the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the resignation of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny, writes On February 5, the Financial Times newspaper cited officials from the G7 countries.

“Ukraine’s Western partners are nervous about the impending reshuffle,” – the message says.

The resignation of Zaluzhny, who is popular in the ranks of the Ukrainian army and among the people, could provoke a violent negative reaction, although Ukraine now needs unity.

Also, a change in the military leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the backdrop of the conflict between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Zaluzhny may happen at a “critical moment”, when the Ukrainian army is suffering due to a lack of ammunition, and the West is delaying arms supplies.

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky confirmed the day before that he was thinking about replacing Zaluzhny. The Rada also warned that Zaluzhny’s dismissal could lead to a split in society.

On the evening of January 29, a number of Ukrainian journalists and politicians immediately reported that Zelensky announced Zaluzhny’s removal from the post of commander-in-chief. Soon, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and Zelensky’s press service called this information untrue. However, later the Ukrainian publication Zerkalo Nedeli, with reference to the office of the leader of the Kyiv regime, wrote that Zelensky actually invited Zaluzhny to leave his post.

On January 31, Bloomberg pointed out that disagreements between the president and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine appeared in the first months of the conflict and were associated with different approaches to the conduct of hostilities. Thus, Zelensky allegedly advocates “bold” actions, while Zaluzhny is more conservative.