Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is considering the “replacement of a number of state leaders” in a huge “reset” for Kyiv.
On Sunday, Zelensky was asked about his military commander Valeriy Zaluzhny, who had been rumoured to be facing the sack before an apparent U-turn from the Ukrainian President.
Zelensky said: “When I speak of turnover, I have in mind something serious that does not concern a single person, but the direction of the country’s leadership.
“It is a question of the people who are to lead Ukraine. A reset is necessary, I am talking about a replacement of a number of state leaders, not only in the army sector.”
Zelensky and Zaluzhny have been at odds for months, according to reports, due to Ukraine’s underwhelming counteroffensive.
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Eyebrows were raised when reports suggested the military commander could be relieved of his duties due to his popularity in Ukraine, particularly among the military.
Zaluzhny remains in his post as army chief but used an op-ed for CNN last week to make a subtle dig at Zelensky.
He called on political leaders in Kyiv to “seize the moment”, seemingly referring to Zelensky’s reluctance to mobilise up to 500,000 people in a military draft.
Zaluzhny added: “We must acknowledge the significant advantage enjoyed by the enemy in mobilising human resources and how that compares with the inability of state institutions in Ukraine to improve the manpower levels of our armed forces without the use of unpopular measures.”
Last week, the European Union passed a €50billion (£42.6billion) package of military support for Ukraine, but this only came after a months-long delay.
Zaluzhny used his article for CNN to call for a change in the way Ukraine operates to deal with less reliable support from Western allies.
He added: “The challenge for our armed forces cannot be underestimated. It is to create a completely new state system of technological rearmament”.
The military chief said drones are “the best way for Ukraine to avoid being drawn into a positional war, where we do not possess the advantage”.
