Diplomatic role is Zaluzhnyi's own desire, Zelenskyy says
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Working in the diplomatic field was the desire of former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, states President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Today, the candidacy of our country's ambassador to Great Britain was also approved," the statement reads.
According to the president, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi spoke to him specifically about this direction for himself - diplomatic.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has sent a corresponding request for agrément. Our alliance with Britain should only strengthen," Zelenskyy adds.
What preceded
Today it became known that the candidacy of former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi was approved for the position of ambassador to Britain.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has sent the relevant request for agrément to the British side. In July 2023, Zelenskyy dismissed Vadym Prystaiko from the position of Ukrainian ambassador to Britain.
Dismissal of Zaluzhnyi
On February 8, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who had been in charge of the army since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, resigned. He was replaced by Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.
On February 9, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov.
Budanov doubted that the reason for Zaluzhnyi's resignation could have been a conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Responding to questions about possible discord between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Budanov said that there could hardly be any personal differences between the men if one of them was a "direct subordinate of the other."
He also hinted that Zelenskyy made the right decision by replacing Zaluzhnyi.
News of disagreements between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi appeared long ago. RBC-Ukraine reported on this as early as July 2022. More details can be found in the material.
