Kiev mayor warns Zelensky about plan to fire commander-in-chief

Kiev Mayor warned President Zelensky to ignore national interests, risking breaking social unity if he fired General Zaluzhny.

"The whole society is discussing and anxiously waiting for the results of the plan to dismiss military commander Valery Zaluzhny proposed by the President," Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram today.

The mayor of Kiev said that General Zaluzhny was the man who restored public confidence in the Ukrainian army and had been through difficult times. "Unfortunately, politics is above common sense and national interests at this stage, and that is not in Zaluzhny's power to decide," he said.

Klitschko emphasized that the most important factors for Ukraine at this time are fighting strength, military unity and solidarity in the whole society.

"I hope the government understands the seriousness and responsibility of the actions it is taking. It is necessary to stop political rivalry and infighting. It is necessary to fight for the victory of Ukraine," he added.

Mayor Klitschko in an interview in Kiev in December 2022. Photo: Reuters — Mayor Klitschko in an interview in Kiev in December 2022. Photo: *Reuters*

Klitschko, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, has been mayor of Kiev since 2014 and is a political rival of President Zelensky. However, his comments also reflect growing discontent within Ukraine after nearly two years of war.

The statement came a day after President Zelensky said he was considering replacing a series of senior officials, including General Zaluzhny, in an effort to "reset the apparatus" to win the conflict with Russia. This is the first time Mr. Zelensky has confirmed his intention to fire the commander of the Ukrainian army after many denials.

General Zaluzhny's influence and position began to rise since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. However, the conflict between him and President Zelensky broke out in November 2023 after the Ukrainian army commander said Kiev's counter-offensive had reached a stalemate and faced harsh criticism from the President's Office.

The disagreement between the two sides then continued to widen due to the dispute over troop mobilization, with General Zaluzhny wanting to add 450,000-500,000 to the front line, something Mr Zelensky opposed. Ukrainian MP Yevgeny Shevchenko said on February 5 that General Zaluzhny had agreed to leave the army in the next few days to go to the UK to become an ambassador.

Vu Anh (According to Reuters, RT )

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