Espreso. Global
OPINION

Zaluzhnyi's article in CNN: now Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief won't resign of his own accord

2 February, 2024 Friday
20:17

If he were to leave now, it would look like he was abdicating his responsibility for the army

client/title.list_title

Let me summarize with five points about the political situation in Ukraine after Zaluzhnyi's article.

1. Zaluzhnyi will not resign of his own accord, even if the Presidential Administration expect him to. If he were to leave now, it would look like he was abdicating responsibility for the army, which the government has put in a difficult situation out of fear of "unpopular decisions" regarding mobilization.

2. If Zaluzhnyi is dismissed now or in the near future, it will look like revenge for criticism, and it is absolutely fair. The situation for the President’s Office is losing.

3. Zaluzhnyi does have a PR team working for him, apparently an international one, which suddenly came out from behind the scenes at a critical moment and showed its talent. To write a text such as Zaluzhnyi's article in two days and promptly agree with CNN on its publication - guess for yourself what quality of speechwriting talent is required here (spoiler: very high) and what level of ties (spoiler: it is plus or minus the level of the State Department).

4. We should not make an idol out of Zaluzhnyi. Our army still has a lot of problems, including unresolved Soviet sores. But it seems that he is currently our best candidate for the position he holds. The alternatives available to those on whom we depend for vital support were clearly not impressed.

5. At such moments, one can be sincerely glad that not everything in Ukraine is decided by the majority of voters and the political leadership they elect. Fortunately for us, there is also "external governance".

Source

About the author. Oleksiy Panych, philosopher, member of the Ukrainian Center of PEN International, blogger.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
22 January
13:32
OPINION
Trump's first statements and orders: what they reveal
13:14
Ukraine authorizes Poseidon unmanned aerial vehicle system for military use
12:57
Exclusive
Trump's 'hawks' must not repeat Obama's mistake — Ukrainian diplomat
12:38
Ukraine documents over 7,000 Russian environmental crimes amid ongoing war
12:21
OPINION
Trump: Putin is destroying Russia. Column by Vitaly Portnikov
12:00
Russia violates political prisoners' health rights in Crimea at least 64 times in 2024 — analysts
11:42
Ukrainian forces eliminate 21 North Korean fighters, wound 40 in Russia's Kursk region
11:23
121 combat clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front on Jan. 21 — General Staff
11:05
Ukraine will need at least 200,000 peacekeepers to ensure security after ceasefire - Zelenskyy
10:46
Exclusive
Trump has no reason to concede or compromise with Russia — international expert
10:28
Trump administration seeks lasting end to war in Ukraine — U.S. official
10:11
Exclusive
Putin appears to be 'CIA's best agent' — Ukrainian diplomat
09:52
Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine, causing casualties in Mykolaiv
09:34
Russia loses 1,950 soldiers, 60 artillery systems, 11 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
21 January
21:30
Exclusive
Defense Express expert analyzes Russian military production rates amid war
21:10
4,000 North Korean soldiers killed in Kursk region — Zelenskyy
20:51
British actor Stephen Fry urges world to pay attention to Ukraine war
20:35
Exclusive
"This precedent could trigger changes": Military expert on the detention of former AFU commanders
20:14
Russian troops change tactics of Pokrovsk offensive, military spokesman says
19:53
Exclusive
Expert questions Russia's tactical decisions in possible offensive on Dnipropetrovsk region
19:30
Updated
Zelenskyy at Davos Forum urges Europe to assert global leadership
19:04
Ukrainian film about schooling during war enters Berlinale's main competition
18:40
Ukraine's Chaklun-V drones and their strike on Smolensk Aviation Plant
18:17
Trump's 90-day suspension of U.S. aid will not affect Ukraine
17:56
Ukraine's Neptune cruise missiles: Tracking their impact on Russian targets in 2024
17:35
'Long-term peace based on Russia's interests': Putin and Xi Jinping hold video call
17:16
Ukraine is “waiting” for talks with Trump's team, says official
16:57
OPINION
Trump, "war" on transgender rights, and why Zelenskyy was not invited to inauguration
16:35
Repressions in occupied Crimea: women, lawyers, artists targeted by Russian authorities
16:14
Macron urges Europe to boost defense spending following Trump's presidency
15:54
Ukrainian experts warn of growing influence of North Korean forces in Russia's war effort
15:33
OPINION
War refugees: draft evaders and the disillusioned
15:16
Human Chain of Unity: Historic symbol of Ukraine's struggle for independence
14:56
Ukrainian paratroopers share how they captured North Korean soldier
14:30
Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in Liski, Voronezh region, Russia — second attack in one week
14:15
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy open to negotiations, Russia’s Putin holds back, Trump says
13:55
Is U.S. aid to Ukraine at risk amid Trump’s 90-day suspension order?
13:36
Exclusive
Russia advances just 1.5 km on Pokrovsk front in a month, says military expert
13:28
Ukraine thwarts 35 corruption schemes valued at nearly UAH 5 million
13:18
Updated
Russia reports UAV attacks as Ukraine confirms strikes on Smolensk factory, Voronezh oil depot
More news