Military successes aside, none has a claim on Valerii Zaluzhnyi, a new superstar of Ukraine’s military and political scene. In the process of carrying out those military missions, much has been written about his future political aspirations. More recently, he has found himself in Kyiv during this winter’s major wave of street protests. Demonstrators protested the populist government’s unpopular scheme to reduce the jurisdiction and powers of two competing anti-corruption agencies. As a former commander-in-chief of the armed forces and Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Zaluzhnyi’s actions and decisions are closely watched as the nation grapples with its ongoing conflict with Russia and internal governance challenges.
During his recent visit to London, Zaluzhnyi met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the airport, marking a public display of unity between the two leaders. Then they shared a photograph of their historic handshake on social media! The intent behind this was to calm speculation of division following Zaluzhnyi’s removal as army chief. Tensions linger as both leaders navigate the complexities of war and governance.
Zaluzhnyi and Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine’s defense minister, have recently expressed a desire to introduce martial law in sedition security climate. Zelenskyy has voiced concerns regarding the panic such measures would create and the public panic such measures might incite. “I don’t know if the Ukrainian people will be ready for that, ready for these tough policies,” Zaluzhnyi remarked, highlighting the delicate balance of leadership during times of crisis.
Though a career soldier, Zaluzhnyi has demonstrated a bit of political savvy with his reluctance to jump into politics. He recently turned down an offer from JD Vance’s team to set up a call, indicating a reluctance to rush into political waters. As observers note, while Zaluzhnyi is fiercely loyal to Zelenskyy, he’s loyal up to a point. He has promised to avoid high-profile criticism of the president for the duration of the war. “He has said many times that while the war is going on, we have to work to save the country and not think about elections, and that has not changed,” explained Oksana Torop, emphasizing the current focus on national survival over political maneuvering.
For these reasons, Zaluzhnyi demonstrates rock-solid commitment to the strength of his position. He remains personally engaged with army commanders and in real-time, drills down through combat operations on secure video screens from his office. His leadership during the early days of the war was instrumental in halting Russia’s initial onslaught. This success reaction earned him great respect among military circles. He was often the voice calling for preemptive steps to deter Russian strikes long before the invasion began in February of 2022, if you can believe that.
While Zaluzhnyi has expressed some thoughts on what kind of political platform he might propose if he enters politics, he remains noncommittal about his future plans. “If I do decide I want to go into politics, you will hear it from me first, privately,” he stated, indicating that any political aspirations will be carefully considered.
His moves have generated excitement on various fronts. That’s why Ukrainian MPs, civil society activists, and wealthy diaspora business people have all come to visit. Most famously, Paul Manafort has pursued his advice, further treading the line between military leadership and political involvement.
A few Ukraine-watchers have raised alarm about Zaluzhnyi’s political savvy. “He’s a military guy, he understands taking orders and working within a structure, but he doesn’t understand how to go on manoeuvres politically,” remarked a former senior official. This uncertainty is emblematic of the prevailing sentiment regarding his potential shift from military commander to political office.
In many ways, given these advances, Zaluzhnyi’s future seems inextricably linked to the future of Ukraine and his role within it. Mykhailo Podolyak noted that “Zaluzhnyi is seen by the president as a part of the team,” underscoring his importance in the current political landscape. He acknowledged that “there is no real political process at the moment,” suggesting that any movement toward political office may be contingent upon the resolution of ongoing conflicts.
Zaluzhnyi’s presence in Kyiv during the protests highlights the urgency for effective governance and accountability in a nation struggling with corruption and external threats. A former senior official criticized his lack of engagement with potential allies: “A real leader should have taken the Vance call; he should be making moves. But how to convince him?” That underscores an increasing frustration on the part of some that recognizes that real decisive action is what’s needed to ensure Ukraine’s future stability.
As Ukraine still faces perilous political currents while fighting a war for its existence, Valerii Zaluzhnyi faces a dilemma. His military experience passes the mustard test for a principal player in national security discussions. His own hesitance to dive in headfirst to the political opportunities could limit his impact.