"Deservingly released. The biggest mistake since the full-scale invasion has been made. Stability has been hit. With your own hands." Opinion.
Unfortunately, this was exactly the recipe for Ukraine's in all previous wars with Russia. Unfortunately, this is exactly how Ukrainian leaders behaved 100 years ago. And the key here is not someone's political ambitions, because this is actually a personal problem, but the risks that are created for the state. For the stability of the country during the war for survival. When, it would seem, any political jealousy and ambitions should take a back seat. At least for responsible public figures.
And, of course, there will be no Maidan now. Because Maidan is created by citizens, and responsible citizens understand that any confusion is unacceptable during a war. And of course we cannot afford a military junta. However, the release of Zaluzhny creates a number of risks that will affect the country in the medium and long term. Because during a long war, against the background of fatigue, it is important for the army to have at its head a leader whom it trusts. And such was Zaluzhny. Because there are many difficult months ahead, when we will face painstaking work and many losses, and there will be no see. There will be many decisions that will cause doubts. And it is necessary for the army to go through the entire war with a high level of trust in those who make these decisions.
And at this moment, it is not very wise to fire a person with trust and take all the responsibility against the background of undermined self-confidence. Responsibility for defeats, because society expects an unconditional victory and any result that may be achieved will be perceived as insufficient. For compromises, because all wars end in agreements, even if they are not concluded directly between the warring parties. And all because of political jealousy. Actually, if the country holds back, if it does not undermine Ukraine's ability to hold back, then such a move definitely makes Zaluzhny the favorite in any future presidential elections. Especially since this already creates the image of a martyr that Ukrainians love so much.
This is an emotional, not a rational decision. An emotional decision that the country cannot afford. As a result, this not only carries risks for the country, but is also destructive to Zelensky's political future. Eliminating all the important things that Zelensky personally did in the first year of the war.
And yes, Zelenskyi has the legal right to fire Zaluzhnyi . And he used this right. But in addition to legality, there is also the concept of legitimacy. Is such a decision legitimate in the eyes of society? Especially when it is known that this decision was not the result of professional disputes, but of political jealousy? The question is rhetorical. And yes, the conflicts between Zelensky and Zaluzhny created too toxic an atmosphere and did not contribute to the effective work of the Armed Forces. But there were always two ways out. Not just the bad one that was chosen. But also an adult. When people step on their throats with their desires and emotions. They take care of themselves. And they work until the end of the war. Holding back emotions. Unfortunately, there were not enough adults in this room. Unfortunately, a reasonable decision was not made.
And yes, if I were a Russian agent of influence, in the last few months I would have managed the almost impossible. At the same time, to provoke a confrontation between the authorities with journalists, business, and now with the military. All that is missing is political repression. An attack on journalists, an attack on business, the release of the most trusted military officer. And this is against the background of society's fatigue and the need to maintain the support of our Western partners. Bingo.
When society fell into a psychological pit at the end of 2023, there were fears that people would start doing something that would harm the state. Society endured. Society has shown maturity. But it turned out that it was not society that needed to be worried about.
Someone will benefit from Zaluzhnyi's dismissal. His name is Volodymyr. But not Zelenskyi.
Today we all lost in Ukraine. Only Putin won.
