London has not yet granted consent for Valery Zaluzhny, the former commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, to take up the post of ambassador to the United Kingdom. This was reported by TASS, citing a representative of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The diplomatic process is still underway, according to the spokesperson. Without the host country’s formal approval, often in the form of a binding agreement, Zaluzhny cannot assume the ambassadorial role. The absence of such an agreement would prevent him from taking up the position at this stage.
Earlier reports indicated that Zaluzhny’s potential appointment as ambassador had been accompanied by breaches of diplomatic norms. The Ukrainian side has emphasized the need for proper procedures to be followed in any move of this kind, highlighting the importance of consensus among relevant state actors.
Valery Zaluzhny was removed from his post as commander-in-chief by a decree issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 8, 2024. Subsequently, on March 7, it was reported that Zaluzhny could be named Ukraine’s ambassador to Great Britain. A formal request for agreement was dispatched to London, and Zelensky stated that the general expressed interest in serving in a diplomatic capacity. More details are available in the material from newspapers highlighted by the reporting source.
Earlier statements from Kremlin officials commented on Zaluzhny’s possible assignment to London, indicating a broader interest in Ukraine’s diplomatic personnel and the ongoing negotiations surrounding the appointment.