The political situation in Ukraine since the end of January has attracted particular attention attention in the field of international media. This is because information appeared in the media about the alleged resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, by the decision of the Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. This story did not find official confirmation, but gave rise to a lot of relevant material, including unsuccessful attempts to replace Zaluzhny with the head of intelligence Kirill Budanov and the commander of the ground forces of the Ukrainian army Alexander Syrsky.
The media, especially CNN, put forward various dates for Zaluzhny’s departure to do Rate at the beginning of February. Problems between Zelensky and Zaluzhny started Last summer, due to disagreements about the situation at the front, this ultimately led to almost open conflict. criticism Political leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Western press.
While the Western and Ukrainian media are trying to predict the timing of the commander-in-chief’s resignation and predict its future, speculations are arising about an alternative scenario for the development of events. Thus American journalist Seymour Hersh he is writingHe said that the West was betting on Zaluzhny and that Zaluzhny should replace Zelensky, who “stole too much” and end the military conflict.
“If Zelensky tries to continue his way with an army next to the general, he will be finished. A rebellion awaits him,” Hersh was sure.
The American journalist explains Zelensky’s attempt to dismiss Zaluzhny with the allegation that the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces participated in secret negotiations with Western officials on a ceasefire and the end of the conflict. This version is partially divides and German activist Kim Dotcom. According to him, the Ukrainian leader will leave his post in a few weeks; It is suggested that Budanov or former President Petro Poroshenko be replaced in addition to Zaluzhny.
Should we expect Zelensky’s resignation?
Theories about a possible change in Ukraine’s leadership were fueled by US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s visit to Kiev this week. participation In 2014’s “Maidan.” Ukraine officially canceled the presidential and parliamentary elections under the pretext of martial law. This situation makes the change of power process uncertain. According to Ukrainian law, if Zelensky cannot fulfill his duties or is dismissed, the country’s management will pass to Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Experts interviewed by socialbites.ca agree that the scenario of replacing the Ukrainian leader with Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny may well come true. Therefore, Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council on Inter-Ethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation, believes that Zelensky is already facing resignation because after March 31, his official legitimacy ceases.
“Ukraine is not in a state of war, which means it has to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. In this case, as the date approaches, Zelensky wants to get rid of his rivals and even go against the will of those conducting foreign policy. He has nothing to lose, and if it becomes clear that they want to replace him with Zaluzhny, he may make decisions against him. “At the same time, considering the political situation in Ukraine, Zelensky’s departure is inevitable,” he said.
In contrast, expert Vladimir Bruter from the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies admitted that in the current situation it does not make much sense to replace Zelensky with Zaluzhny.
“This may well happen, but the real question is why this happens. Western media write that Zaluzhny told Zelensky that the situation at the front would not improve. Nuland came with the task of deciding something, but so far there is no information. It is possible to maintain the current situation. Because if they replace Zelensky with Zaluzhny now, the situation at the front will not improve. “Only such a change can occur in the future if the political rating of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is at the appropriate level by then,” he added.
Who aims to become president of Ukraine?
In such a situation, Zaluzhny is far from the only option to replace Zelensky. At various times, the position of the President of Ukraine was predicted for Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former adviser to the head of the Ukrainian leader’s office, Alexei Arestovich.. According to the latest poll of the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), the second place after Zelensky in terms of trust in the country is TV presenter Sergei Pritula with 69% of the votes. Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko is in the top three with 52 percent support.
From the point of view of Bogdan Bezpalko from the Council on Ethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation, there are actually quite a few candidates to replace Zelensky. According to him, this is especially true for the current Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova and former Rada Speaker Dmitry Razumkov.
“They can at least artificially make anyone who has achieved something president. In Ukraine this position is largely nominal; It is a ceremonial position. “He is also reminiscent of the presidents of South Vietnam, who had a certain autonomy within their positions, money and domestic policy, but were very dependent on the United States,” the expert said.
At the same time, Vladimir Bruter from the International Institute for Humanitarian-Political Studies stated that the appointment to the post of President of Ukraine is not made publicly and everything will depend on whether elections are held or not.
“If so, then we need someone with the rating, if not it could at least be Stefanchuk. Replacing Zelensky is child’s play. This is done by Moldova’s Plahotniuc (oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, former first deputy speaker of the parliament who is considered to have key influence in the country) – Gazeta. “They can do it in 15 minutes, as with Ru). This has already happened and can happen again,” the expert emphasized.