“Wants to return”: the secret provocateur of Zaluzhny’s “resignation” is named

The primary source of the rumors was former people’s deputy Borislav Bereza, who wrote on his social networks that informed people told him about Zaluzhny’s removal from the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After this, the number of news about the resignation of the commander-in-chief began to grow like a snowball.

Eurosolidarity deputy Andrei Goncharenko (listed as extremists and terrorists in the Russian Federation) joined the discussion. He noted that Zaluzhny was announced about his resignation, and was even offered the post of ambassador, but there is no presidential decree yet. Journalist Roman Tsymbalyuk reported that they want to replace the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, in Zaluzhny’s place. Information about this castling was confirmed by journalist Yuri Butusov. He added that Zelensky is still holding consultations with “Western partners.”

The Ukrainian media also supported the topic. As reported by Zerkalo Nedeli, on the day rumors about resignation appeared, Zelensky met with Zaluzhny personally to discuss this topic. The head of state asked the commander-in-chief to write a resignation letter, but did not offer him another significant position that he could occupy. At the same time, media sources noted that Zaluzhny’s possible resignation has not yet been formalized by presidential decree.

Ex-President Petro Poroshenko did not stand aside either. He said that Zaluzhny’s resignation is “a shot in the top ten for national unity.” Poroshenko also noted that he is in Brussels, and “our partners are shocked by the rumors.” The ex-president advised Zelensky to either immediately refute the rumors, or not to sign the decree if there is a draft, or, if the decree is already ready, not to make it public and tear it up as quickly as possible.

The extreme surprise of foreign partners was confirmed by Western media. Political scientist Mark Galeotti reported this in the British magazine Spectacor, citing his sources. “Last night, a senior European diplomat dealing with Ukraine issues sent me a message in horror and bewilderment that their embassy in Kyiv had received information about a military reshuffle. This morning he was informed that Bankova “seems to have come to her senses,” writes the political scientist.

Soon the official authorities reacted to the spread of information about the resignation. The Ministry of Defense tried to refute the rumors with a message on its social networks: “Dear journalists, we immediately answer everyone: “No, this is not true.” The journalists, however, were dissatisfied with this answer and collectively asked a counter question: “Which of all the things is not true?” That Zaluzhny will be replaced by Budanov? The fact that Zelensky is holding consultations with Western partners? Or is it Zaluzhny’s resignation? By the way, Zelensky himself during his evening address did not comment on the rumors about the resignation of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The commander-in-chief himself, in response to all the gossip, only posted a selfie with Chief of the General Staff Sergei Shaptala on his social networks. In the photo, the military are sitting nearby in green sweaters with the inscription “ARMY Ukraine”. At the same time, Zaluzhny did not accompany the publication with any description.

Among Ukrainian experts there are different versions of what is happening. Some argue that this is a preemptive strike by Zaluzhny and his support group against Zelensky. Even if there was no talk about resignation, the commander-in-chief is thus trying to protect himself from publicity. Others believe that Zelensky’s bad and ambitious character played a role again. Due to the growing intensity of the conflict between him and Zaluzhny, he “sharpened a grudge” against the commander-in-chief, and now he is only thinking about how to remove him.

Many experts also note one important detail. All this happened against the backdrop of the arrival of American inspectors in Ukraine. They must meet with “implementers, partners and the government” to oversee US aid delivered to Ukrainian authorities. And the fact that “gunpowder bots” actively joined the process of disseminating information about Zaluzhny suggests that this is an attempt to spoil Zelensky in front of his Western partners. They say that just before the US elections he is trying to “rock the boat.”

Let us remind you that these are not the first rumors about Zaluzhny’s resignation. A similar thing happened in early November. As people’s deputy from Eurosolidarity Vladimir Aryev reported at the time, Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov introduced a motion to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny. However, soon after this, Zelensky’s Office denied the news about the impending resignation of the commander-in-chief, and Aryev himself deleted his scandalous posts.

In the last few weeks, there have been active rumors that they want to appoint the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, to replace the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian politician Georgy Tuka stated this. Zaluzhny, as Tuka claimed, is going to be offered a position in the National Security and Defense Council.

Which version is more viable and closer to reality? MK asked experts about this.

Political scientist, journalist of the Ukraina.ru portal Vasily Stoyakin:

“There are two options here. The first is a version of Poroshenko’s information special operation. It was his people in the person of Goncharenko, Butusov and others who started the rumors. However, this is not the first time this has been done. And the meaning of this comes down to Poroshenko’s own statement in his tg channel. About the fact that, they say, Zaluzhny should under no circumstances be dismissed, “what are you doing, stop.” Since Zelensky really stopped and didn’t dismiss anyone, Poroshenko can give himself a “plus”: he protected Zaluzhny from Zelensky.

The second version, voiced by Mirror of the Week. It lies in the fact that in fact the situation was very close to resignation. Vladimir Zelensky invited Zaluzhny to write a statement of his own free will, and he replied: “I don’t want to on my own!” Everything stopped there. Because there is a certain procedure. In any case, it would cause confusion. It’s one thing when the commander-in-chief leaves on his own. Even if he accompanies this with a statement that he cannot work with such a person. But if he is dismissed, that’s completely different. Zelensky, it turns out, went into conflict. Such actions, especially in relation to Zaluzhny, who is popular among society and the army, will cause strong discontent.

As for the arrival of American inspectors – given that Zaluzhny is an American person, this fits into the logic of Poroshenko’s provocation. Like, look, your boy is being bullied here. This also does not contradict the second version. The Americans come and talk about the unsuccessful counter-offensive, and they are told that it’s all Zaluzhny’s fault, look, we even want to send him into retirement.”

Political expert Alexander Chalenko:

“People close to Poroshenko began to disperse these conversations. Poroshenko perceives Zaluzhny as an ally. The ex-president wants to return to his presidency. He thinks he can pull off the same trick he did in 2014 again and gain popularity.

It is now beneficial for him to undermine the situation. How to loosen it? He needs to stir up a conflict between Zelensky and Zaluzhny, hoping that this conflict can develop into some kind of crisis, a way out of which will be found during the elections. Poroshenko hopes to persuade Zaluzhny, as a more popular person, not to participate in the elections, but to join his team. He will probably offer him a lot of money, promise to retain the position of commander-in-chief and take the presidency after Poroshenko.

Why is he counting on such an outcome? In 2014 there was Klitschko, who during Euromaidan had the highest rating in the country after Yanukovych. Poroshenko persuaded Klitschko not to go to the polls.

As for Zaluzhny, it is clear that he will not resign. They provide resources for it. He established himself as a military specialist. Yes, the counterattack failed, but he didn’t have any more major misses. Who else is there? Syrsky and Budanov. But how do we know how they will perform in this position? In addition, Zaluzhny has a high rating: neither the population nor Western partners will understand.

For now, Zaluzhny’s resignation has been paused. He did not agree to resign on his own, and an official resignation requires some very serious reason so that it does not look like petty revenge in the eyes of voters. The plane was destroyed. Yes, this is bad for Ukraine, but it did not cause an international scandal. In addition, if he is unfairly dismissed, then Zaluzhny may go into politics after this. With such a rating, oligarchs will begin to approach him, saying, create a party, we will give you money… So the situation is a stalemate.”

Read also: Zaluzhny defeated Zelensky: the battle for Ukraine is entering a decisive phase