Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the head of the President's Office, has recently addressed rumors and speculations regarding the potential dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Podoliak firmly stated that there is no basis for discussions about Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal from his position.
This clarification comes amidst reports by The Economist and Ukrainska Pravda about alleged political tensions in Kyiv and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s communication with some commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, bypassing Zaluzhnyi.
These reports suggested that such actions could undermine Zaluzhnyi’s ability to command the entire army effectively.
Podoliak, speaking on the telethon, emphasized the clarity of the military command structure in Ukraine. He underscored the defined roles where the President functions as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the Commander-in-Chief, namely Zaluzhnyi, operates as the Chief Operating Officer directly involved with the war efforts.
He dismissed the idea of any conflict, especially on political grounds, as nonsensical.
Furthermore, Podoliak pointed out that any claims of conflict within the military leadership might be met with confusion by international partners.
This statement is significant in maintaining the image of a united and cohesive Ukrainian leadership in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia.
