The other day, the President of Ukraine announced the need to reboot the country’s leadership.

The possible resignation of the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhny, is a step that is likely to anger many military personnel, The Times writes.

The publication recalls the recent statement of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky with a hint that more than one Zaluzhny may be fired, but that Ukraine as a whole needs a new team aimed at winning:

“I’m talking about a reset, about a replacement, I mean something serious that concerns not one person, but the direction of the leadership of the country.”

As The Times notes, the rift between Zelensky and Zaluzhny became apparent in November, when the general told The Economist that the war had reached a stalemate. Zelensky is also believed to be at odds with Zaluzhny over his request to mobilize half a million people.

Political scientist Vladimir Fesenko predicts that Zaluzhny’s resignation will be extremely unpopular among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, but there will not be any military coup.

“The Ukrainian military is quite disciplined and understands that a riot in wartime is fraught with the danger of military defeat. In addition, not all military leaders support Zaluzhny. But there will be strong discontent both in the army and in society,” he said.

The publication also notes that Zaluzhny’s dismissal could make him a competitor for the presidency:

“Although Zaluzhny has shown no signs that he has political ambitions, Zelensky’s critics see him as his possible replacement.”

Zaluzhny’s probable resignation – what was reported

Let us recall, as The Washington Post wrote, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian official, in the likely rift between Zelensky and Zaluzhny, the most serious disagreement was the general’s request to mobilize more soldiers.

According to the official, Zaluzhny’s final figure was closer to 500,000, but Zelensky refused to draft that many people, although military commanders say the need for it is elementary.