Mr. Zelensky considers 'reforming' Ukraine's leadership

President Zelensky said he was considering replacing a range of senior officials, not just in the military, to determine who would lead the country.

"Resetting the apparatus is necessary. I mean replacing some of the country's leaders, not only in the army. I am considering this issue," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview broadcast on Italian television on February 4, when asked about rumors that military commander Valery Zaluzhny was about to be dismissed.

Ukraine's leader insisted that the plan to replace the country's top officials was not aimed at "one individual" but at the entire leadership. "If we want to win, we must all have the same vision, a positive attitude, not be discouraged or have thoughts of giving up," Mr. Zelensky said.

Military commander Zaluzhny attends an event in Kiev in July 2023. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Speculation about the decision to sack General Zaluzhny arose as relations between President Zelensky and the Ukrainian army commander became tense after a failed counter-offensive last year.

Gen. Zaluzhny said in November 2023 that the Ukrainian battlefield was at a stalemate and a breakthrough was unlikely. The comments drew sharp criticism from political leaders. Mr. Zelensky and his allies have been more optimistic about the war, saying Ukraine can and will push Russian forces back from the territories it controls.

The two also appear to have disagreed on a proposal to mobilize half a million new recruits for the Ukrainian army. In an interview last week, General Zaluzhny said some government agencies were preventing Ukraine from achieving key goals, including building an effective fighting force to counter Russia.

Igar Tyshkevich, a researcher at the Institute for the Future of Ukraine, believes that Mr Zelensky could face criticism if he sacks General Zaluzhny, as the current commander of the Ukrainian army is very popular with the people and soldiers. However, this expert said that the discontent "will dissipate within a few months" if the new leader can successfully command the next counter-offensive.

Thanh Tam (According to Reuters )

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