The former head of the armed forces of Ukraine, General Valory Zaluzhny, has been appointed as the ambassador to the UK. He was appointed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (March 7). The British media reported the news.
In July 2023, Vedym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, was dismissed for publicly criticizing Zelensky. The post remained vacant since then. No one has been appointed as an ambassador there.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that a request has been sent to the United Kingdom for the appointment of General Zaluzhny.
At the time of the appointment, Zelensky claimed that General Zaluzhani showed interest in the post. Because he wants to take this issue of diplomacy as a challenge.
Jalujhani was sacked as army chief last month. But as the head of the armed forces, he was efficient and popular. Zaluzhani has been leading the war since 2022, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It is believed that Zaluzhny was seen as a potential political rival of Zelensky. Besides, he was surpassing Zelensky in terms of popularity and skill. At that time there was a rift between them. And for this reason he has to be fired. He was later replaced by Oleksandr Sirsky.
Analysts said it was not yet clear whether the new appointment was a reward for him or a political game after Jalujhani was sacked as army chief. Because the former army chief has no diplomatic experience. However, they also mentioned that Zelensky had no idea about it before he was elected president in 2019.
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