Afət Ziyadqızı
Valery Zaluzhny, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has reportedly expressed his intention to run for the presidency. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the Ukrainskaya Pravda publication, Zaluzhny communicated his readiness to participate in potential autumn elections during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zaluzhny, who currently serves as Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, allegedly informed the President of his political aspirations should elections be held later this year. Reports suggest that officials within the Presidential Administration in Kyiv have viewed these political intentions with skepticism and have reportedly attempted to dissuade him from pursuing a candidacy.
Observers have noted that Zaluzhny's recent recall from London to Kyiv, which occurred prior to the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has drawn significant attention. Political analysts have long identified Zaluzhny as a primary potential rival to President Zelensky, suggesting that the former general has begun cultivating a political network and establishing connections with other key political figures in the country.
The potential for elections in Ukraine remains a subject of intense domestic and international debate, particularly given the ongoing conflict and the challenges associated with organizing a national vote under martial law. Zaluzhny, who led the Ukrainian military during the initial phases of the full-scale conflict, maintains high levels of public approval, making him a significant figure in the Ukrainian political landscape.
