Reprimand for Saluzhnyj
Zelensky contradicts his army chief
November 4th, 2023, 5:50 p.m
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In an interview, the Ukrainian commander-in-chief Zalushnyj speaks of a stalemate at the front. President Zelensky now contradicts this representation. On top of that, there is criticism of the general’s behavior from Zelensky’s camp.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Army Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zalushny’s fears of a possible stalemate war with Russia. “Today people are tired, everyone is getting tired, and there are different opinions. That is clear, but there is no stalemate,” said Zelenskyj in Kiev at a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In an article for the British magazine “The Economist”, General Salushnyj declared that Ukraine was trapped in a trench warfare. Because of Russian air superiority, the Ukrainians are more cautious about deploying their soldiers, Zelensky said. The F-16 fighter jets expected next year and stronger air defense would change the situation in Ukraine’s favor, the president said.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of Zelensky’s presidential office, Ihor Zhovkwa, criticized Saluzhny’s open commentary on what was happening at the front. “Instead of the military, I would comment less for the press and the public on what is happening, can happen, and what variants there are,” he said on Ukrainian news television. This only helps the war enemy Russia. After the article appeared and an interview with Saluschnyj, he was also asked by the head of a western state’s office whether Ukraine was actually in a “dead end” militarily.
Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for more than 20 months with massive Western aid. The major counteroffensive to liberate their Russian-occupied territories fell far short of their own goals. In his article, Saluschnyj admitted errors in the planning. The West must enable Ukraine to change this situation with new arms deliveries. He also called for greater mobilization by the Ukrainians in order to catch up with their Russian opponents in terms of reserves.