Ukrainian news outlet asserts AFU Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi’s resignation was discussed during meeting with Zelensky

The Ukrainian publication Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, citing its own sources, asserts that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi did have a meeting during which Zaluzhnyi’s resignation was discussed.

According to the publication’s sources within the president’s office and in Zaluzhnyi’s circle, the two met on January 29, and Zelensky suggested that Zaluzhnyi step down from his position. In response, Zaluzhnyi reportedly said that it was Zelensky’s right as president to decide with whom he wished to work.

Dzerkalo Tyzhnia’s sources say that Zaluzhnyi has no intention of submitting a letter of resignation. They note that in order to remove someone from the post of AFU commander-in-chief by presidential decree, the defense minister must also give a corresponding order.

On January 29, Ukrainian media quoted sources as saying that Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi may soon be, or has already been, dismissed. Soon after, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry posted the following message on Telegram: “Dear journalists, we’re answering everyone at once: No, this is not true.”