President Zelenskiy approves consideration of dismissal of military commander-in-chief

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has confirmed in a media interview that he is considering dismissing General Zarzhny, who has been in command of military operations against Russia. It is expected that a final decision will be made after carefully assessing the impact of his dismissal on the war situation.

In an interview with Italian public broadcaster RAI published on the 4th, President Zelenskiy was asked about the reports in multiple media that military commander-in-chief Zarzhniy might be dismissed, and said, ``A reset... I need a fresh start,'' he said, confirming that he was considering dismissal.

He went on to say, ``He is thinking about replacing not only the military but also the country's leaders,'' hinting at the possibility of replacing not only General Zarzini but also multiple senior government officials.

He pointed out, ``The war situation is at a standstill. This is a fact,'' and ``If we aim for victory, everyone must move in the same direction. That's why we need a fresh start.'' Although he declined to state the specific reason for this, he indicated that it was necessary for the successful counterattack against Russia.

It has been reported that Mr. Zarzhny has often had disagreements with President Zelenskiy over issues such as how to proceed with the fighting, and since late last month, media outlets in Europe, the United States, and other countries have been reporting one after another that Mr. Zarzhny will be dismissed.

According to diplomatic sources, the G7 (G7) countries have been exchanging opinions about the possibility of Zarzhiny's dismissal since late last month, saying, ``If the president and military chief are at odds, it will only benefit Russia, so they should come together.'' "I told the Ukrainian side that this was the case," he said.

President Zelenskiy is expected to carefully assess the impact on the war situation and the public's reaction if Zarzhny is dismissed before making his final decision.

Who is Commander-in-Chief Zarzhini?

Commander-in-Chief Zarzhini was born in 1973 and is 50 years old.

Mr. Zarzhny, who started his military career in 1997, held important positions in the army, and was appointed as the top commander of the Ukrainian military in July 2021, before Russia's military invasion began.

After the Russian invasion began, he continued to take command of military operations, often going to the front lines.

In a public opinion poll released by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology in December last year, 88% of people said they "trusted" Commander-in-Chief Zarzhny, while 88% said they "trusted" President Zelenskiy. It exceeded 62%.

In November last year, General Zarzhini contributed an essay titled ``Modern position warfare and how to win'' to the British economic magazine ``The Economist.''

In addition, this month, he wrote an article on CNN television in the United States, stating that the unstable political situation in each country is leading to a reduction in military aid from Europe and the United States, and that in the future he will use cheap and effective technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles. He shared his own analysis, emphasizing the need to make greater use of.

On the other hand, amid reports that the reversal offensive that began in June last year is not progressing as initially expected, friction has arisen, with Mr. Zarzhny and President Zelenskiy at odds over their understanding of the war situation. It was pointed out that there is.

In December of last year, the Ukrainian media ``Ukrainska Pravda'' reported, citing a close aide to the president, that the military chain of command was disrupted due to President Zelenskiy communicating directly with some commanders, and that Mr. Zarzhny was in charge of the entire military. He conveyed his view that he was no longer able to lead.

Since late last month, media outlets in Ukraine, the West, and the United States have reported one after another that Mr. Zarzhny might be fired, and on the 2nd of this month, the Washington Post, a leading American newspaper, announced that President Zelensky had decided to dismiss him. It was reported that the Ukrainian government had informed the White House of the United States, its largest donor.

It has been pointed out that if General Zarzini were to be replaced, there would be a backlash from the people, and there is also the possibility that military leadership could be temporarily disrupted, which could have an impact on the war situation.

Voices of concern about the impact of Zarzhini's dismissal in the capital Kiiv

Regarding the possibility of the dismissal of General Zarzhny of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, there were a number of voices in the capital, Kiiv, expressing concern about the impact if Mr. Zarzhny, who is popular with the people, were to be dismissed.

One of them, a 50-year-old man, said, ``I'm not a military expert, but Mr. Zarzhini has become a symbolic figure.It is clear that if he is fired, it will give a bad impression internationally.'' I was there.

A 63-year-old man said, ``Mr. Zarzhiny's popularity is as high as President Zelenskiy. I do not want Mr. Zarzhiny to be dismissed.''

An 18-year-old woman said, ``Even as a young child, I know Mr. Zarzhini, and he plays a very important role in giving people hope and touching their hearts.If he were to be removed, I think there would be a strong backlash.'' ” he said.

President Zelenskiy visits Zaporizhzhia Oblast, etc.

Amidst reports of the possible dismissal of General Zarzhny of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, President Zelenskiy visited the southern Zaporizhzhya Oblast and eastern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which are close to the front lines, one after another on the 4th.

Among them, the Ukrainian President's Office released a video showing him visiting a camp near Robotine, where fierce fighting continues in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In the meeting, President Zelensky commended his soldiers and called on them: ``You are on a difficult and important mission to defeat the enemy and win this war. I ask you to do everything for a speedy victory.'' .

Robotine is a village that was recaptured by the Ukrainian army in August last year, but the reversal offensive has stalled since then, and President Zelenskiy seems to be aiming to boost the morale of front-line soldiers through his visit. You can

Martial law extended for 90 days; elections not expected to be held

On the 5th, President Zelenskiy of Ukraine submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada, the country's parliament, to extend martial law and general mobilization for 90 days until May.

In Ukraine, the presidential election was originally scheduled for this spring, but it is not expected that the election will be held unless the situation changes, such as when martial law is lifted.

Some countries have voiced concerns

According to diplomatic sources, information that General Zarzhini may be dismissed has been a hot topic among diplomats from various countries stationed in Kiev since the middle of last month.

At first, diplomats agreed that even though Mr. Zarzhny's relationship with President Zelensky had deteriorated, it was not a situation in which he could be immediately dismissed, and that they would closely monitor the situation.

A diplomatic source told NHK that ``President Zelenskiy is thinking twice,'' and revealed that he may be carefully considering whether to dismiss Mr. Zarzhny, who is popular with the public. .

In addition, some countries expressed concern that the G7 countries had exchanged opinions late last month regarding information regarding the possibility of Zarzhini's dismissal, saying, ``The president and the military chief are at odds.'' He also said that he told the Ukrainian side that they should unite because it would only benefit Russia.