Surprise visit to Kyiv. Valerii Zalujnîi, the former chief of the Ukrainian army, met with Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Thursday, January 15, in Kyiv, with Valery Zalujnyi, Ukraine's ambassador to London. It is their first public meeting in Kiev since the general's resignation as commander-in-chief in February 2024.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Valeri Zalujnîi, in Kyiv/PHOTO: X @ZelenskyyUa
Zalujnii's visit to Kiev was not announced in advance, nor was his meeting with Zelenskiy. The reason for the visit was not disclosed.
Earlier, journalists learned that the general plans to resign from the position of ambassador of Ukraine to Great Britain.
“I met with Valerii Zaluzhnyi. I thanked him for his work as part of the Ukraine team and emphasized that it is important to defend Ukraine's independence, our national interests and our people together.
We discussed diplomatic tasks relevant today that can strengthen us all – Ukraine and our resilience. Glory to Ukraine!”, Zelensky transmitted on X.
The publication NV writes that Valerii Zalujnîi would have decided to end his mandate as ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, less than two years after his appointment.
He would have personally communicated this intention to President Zelenski, and for now he has refused other proposals for key positions in the state, including prime minister or head of the Presidential Office.
Zalujnii is said to have also considered a return to command of the Armed Forces or a possible appointment as ambassador to Washington, but no decision has been made so far.
Valeri Zalujnîi is a Ukrainian general, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (July 27, 2021 – February 8, 2024) and a member of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine during the same period.
He also held the positions of Commander of the Northern Operational Command (2019–2021), Chief of the Joint Operational Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – First Deputy of the Commander of the Communal Forces (2018), Chief of Staff – First Deputy of the Western Operational Commander (2017).
He was also commander of the 51st Mechanized Guards Brigade (2009–2012).
