U.S. State Department comments on Zaluzhnyi's resignation
Daniel Cisek (RBC-Ukraine)
The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, acknowledging successes on the battlefield. With the new military leadership in place, Kyiv will be able to continue moving forward, says Daniel Cisek, a representative of the U.S. State Department, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"The U.S. government, of course, is watching the situation in Ukraine and what is happening there. President Zelenskyy has the right to choose and appoint his top military commander. President Biden's administration is confident that Ukraine has the strong military leadership it needs," he said.
Cisek adds that Ukraine has achieved many successes, "although the situation is very difficult and serious." For example, Ukraine has regained half of the territories seized by Russia after the invasion, opened a new sea route in the Black Sea for export, and managed to destroy several Russian warships in the Black Sea, said the State Department representative.
"Here we see significant successes for Ukraine. What should be done next? According to the U.S. government, we need to study the situation and find the best way forward. And yes, this can be done with a new commander," Cisek says.
Resignation of Zaluzhnyi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on February 8 the decision to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief.
According to KIIS polls, the decision to dismiss Zaluzhnyi negatively affected the level of trust Ukrainians have in Zelenskyy.
