In a statement released Thursday evening, Zelensky said that Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskiy, who has served as Ukraine’s commander of ground forces, would replace Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhniy as commander in chief of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Zelensky’s decision to remove Zaluzhniy comes with significant political risk.
Zaluzhniy is widely admired by Ukraine’s public and military. Its manpower and equipment are depleted after a failed counteroffensive last year and Russia is on the attack, while additional military funding from the U.S. is in doubt amid deadlock in Congress. After Ukraine’s counteroffensive failed last year, Zaluzhniy wrote an essay for the Economist referring to the war as a stalemate and saying that Ukraine needed a major upgrade to its military capabilities to oust the Russians.
Zelensky rejected the characterization of the war. He also publicly questioned Zaluzhniy’s call to mobilize hundreds of thousands more troops. In addition, the two men have reportedly argued about the best strategy for the coming months, with Zaluzhniy pushing to adopt a more defensive posture. With aid from the West stalled, his successor may have little choice but to follow that path.
@ClamBrooklynConstitution4mos4MO
Ukraine is integral to the security of the West. We are fortunate that Ukrainians are willing to spill their blood to contain, if not defeat, Russia. It is ludicrous to believe that the Putin gang would stop at Ukraine's western borders, as it would immediately turn to the Baltic states, Romania, Moldova.
Every $ we provide to Ukraine saves $5, $10, $20 that we would have to spend for our defense were Ukraine to fall to Russia, would save countless American military lives.
@G0vernanceMayaGreen4mos4MO
And why exactly is it integral to the security of the West?
@BlissfulGeldingRepublican4mos4MO
Zaluzhniy wouldn’t have signed off without extensive consultation with the US, UK, NATO, and EU.
Clearly they support a change at the top after over a year of few territorial gains for either side.
Could we see more aggressive tactics now? Including within Russian territory?
@GoofyInd3pendentDemocrat4mos4MO
His role is less important than we (well civilians) would like to think.
The replacement of the top will barely affect what’s currently in place. Commanders and systems of operating are established, to which he is already accustomed and part of.
If this would have happened end of 2022, then concern would be justified. But now, at this point, it is more administrative than consequential.
@BlissfulGeldingRepublican4mos4MO
This was nice of Zelensky. I'm guessing some really hard choices and directives are about to be sent out, and Zaluzhny would not want to do it/would be cursed out by others if he did do it. This preserves Zaluzhny and his name. Syrskyi has a rep, so going through him will fit.
@ArtisticYakSocialist4mos4MO
The first person who should leave Ukraine's leadership is the comic himself. His visits to the US Congress were embarrassing.
@NiftyThrushGreen4mos4MO
He was a theater actor.. His credentials.
@ArtisticYakSocialist4mos4MO
Zelensky is lapping up the world’s attention and money. He will never allow anything close to peace talks with Putin while all this money is rolling in to his pockets. This is going to stop only when and if the Ukrainian people realize he is gaming them and run him out.
Americans who supported this war (and attacked anyone who did not) will never admit they were fooled (yet again) so cling to their beliefs despite much evidence to the contrary.
Like a religious belief, they found a new Messiah, ie Zelensky, so they attack "unbelievers" on his behalf...and without a military draft, it's extremely enjoyable for them to have yet-another Forever War
@NiftyThrushGreen4mos4MO
This guy is as corrupt as Putin. They deserve each other minus the billions of US debt dollars spent on this nonsense.
@KoalaArianaRepublican4mos4MO
Putin is evil. President Regan got it right.Russia is an evil empire. The country is a gas station with missiles.
Wonder where all the money is going, a needless war that should not have happened and now out of control, and most of the money not accounted for.
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
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