President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny whether he would run in a possible presidential election this autumn. The popular former top general replied that he had never sought a political career but felt he could not ignore the expectations of many Ukrainians.
According to the Ukrainska Pravda report, citing sources familiar with the recent talks in Kyiv, Zaluzhny was summoned to Kyiv under the formal pretext of discussing political developments in the United Kingdom following preparations for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation in late June. Media said Zelensky and Zaluzhny first discussed the situation in London and its potential impact on UK-Ukraine relations.
The conversation then shifted to domestic politics, according to sources cited by the outlet.
Zelensky argued that recent developments on the battlefield had created what he described as a “window of opportunity” for holding elections, but added that any vote should avoid creating a new political split in Ukrainian society.
“The main task is to hold the elections in a way that prevents a new internal division in the country. That is why the risks of a confrontation between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi must be avoided,” the report quoted Zelensky as saying.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Zelensky directly asked Zaluzhny whether he would run if a presidential election were held this autumn.
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The former commander-in-chief replied that he would.
The report said Zelensky did not offer Zaluzhny an alternative government position during the meeting, although sources within the presidential administration claimed that virtually any senior government post, including prime minister, could have been discussed.
According to the newspaper, Zaluzhny said he had never sought a political career but felt unable to ignore the expectations of many Ukrainians who had placed their trust in him.
The two men ended the meeting by shaking hands, the report said.
Ukrainska Pravda also reported that National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Servant of the People Verkhovna Rada party leader Davyd Arakhamia separately met with Zaluzhny, urging him to reconsider because of the risks that a contested election could pose to national unity.
Neither Zelensky’s office nor Zaluzhny have publicly commented on the reported conversations.
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