Ukraine’s president confirms plans for military shake-up

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced plans to reshuffle Ukraine’s military and political leadership in an interview on Italian RAI TV. The move comes amid speculation about the dismissal of Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a "reset" and a "new beginning" in the leadership direction, stating that the change is not about a single person but about the overall leadership trajectory of the country.

While Zaluzhny, popular among troops and the public, denies having political ambitions, tensions between him and the president have been evident over differing views on the conduct of the war and challenges such as ammunition shortages and personnel deficits.

The president clarified that the reshuffle is not limited to the military sector but extends to various state leadership roles. He stressed the importance of unity and determination in the face of ongoing conflicts with Russian forces, emphasizing the need for positive energy and collective effort.

In addition to Zaluzhny, there are speculations about the removal of General Staff Chief Serhii Shaptala. Zaluzhny, however, congratulated Shaptala on his birthday, hinting at a possibly amicable relationship.

Reports suggest that tensions between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny have been brewing for some time, with disagreements over military strategy and operational decisions. Zelenskyy's refusal of a military request to mobilize 500,000 people and disagreements over the status of the war have added to the friction.

Despite unconfirmed reports of Zaluzhny's resignation, discussions are ongoing regarding potential replacements, with commanders Oleksandr Syrsky and Kyrylo Budanov emerging as leading candidates.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds. #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #MilitaryReshuffle #Zaluzhny #PoliticalLeadership #UkrainianConflict 🇺🇦🔝