(Kyiv) Former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armies Valery Zalouzhny, replaced in February and very popular, was officially appointed Thursday ambassador to the United Kingdom, a key ally of Kyiv in its war against Russia, the presidency announced.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Thursday appointing Mr. Zaluzhny as ambassador, according to this document.
By another decree, Mr. Zelensky dismissed the general from military service on Wednesday due to his “state of health”.
Nicknamed the “iron general” for having foiled the Kremlin’s initial plan to bring Kyiv to its knees in a few days, Valery Zalouzhny has become an icon of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion launched in February 2022.
However, he was fired in February by President Zelensky amid strong tensions between the two men. According to some media, his dismissal was partly due to the presidency’s jealousy of the popularity of Mr. Zaluzhny, whose trust rating exceeded 90% in Ukraine.
Officially, his replacement was explained by the need to “reset” the command system, the front line remaining largely frozen since major advances by Kyiv in 2022 and after the failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive last summer. .
In March, Mr. Zelensky approved the candidacy of Valery Zalouzhny for the post of ambassador. Ukrainian diplomacy then announced that it had requested London’s approval for his official appointment, in accordance with the procedure.
Mr. Zalouzhny, 50, was appointed commander-in-chief in July 2021, a few months before the Russian invasion began in February 2022.