Kyiv [Ukraine], March 8: On March 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine posted a notice saying that President Volodymyr Zelensky had approved the candidate Valery Zaluzhny, former commander-in-chief of the army, for the position of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, according to AFP.
Mr. Zelensky praised the appointment, saying the alliance with Britain should become stronger. "Zaluzhny told me that this is the direction he wants, the diplomatic direction," President Zelensky said.
The announcement was made the same day President Zelensky met British Defense Minister Grant Shapps in Kyiv. The British government announced that Minister Shapps had announced a new military aid package worth 325 million pounds ($417 million) to Ukraine , including more than 10,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In January, the UK announced a 200 million pound aid package for UAVs.
On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the appointment, saying that this is a reasonable step because Mr. Zaluzhny will bring awareness of the necessary military context to this position. "The UK is one of the leaders in military support for Ukraine. This is a country with a military strategic vision. The new ambassador there must have a deep military background," Mr. Kuleba explained.
Mr. Zaluzhny led the Ukrainian army before Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine. During his time in office, the commander-in- chief helped repel much more powerful Russian forces in the early months of the conflict.
Ukraine's "iron general" is highly regarded, but his failure in last year's counterattack and disagreements with President Zelensky have affected his image in the eyes of the country's leadership. Mr. Zaluzhny was replaced by General Oleksandr Syrsky, who commanded Ukraine's rapid counteroffensive in the fall of 2022 in the Kharkiv region.
The position of Ukraine's ambassador to the UK has been vacant since July 2023 after President Zelensky dismissed Mr. Vadym Prystaiko following the diplomat's attacks on the president.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper