Zelensky did not offer clarify who would be replaced, but his comments come amid speculation over the future of army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The army chief had suggested that the drafting of up to half a million additional soldiers was required, which Zelensky resisted. That operation began in June and was aimed at driving Russian forces back from the territories they have occupied since 2022, particularly in the south of the country. Zalzhnyi’s ouster would also be a politically risky move for Zelensky, given the general’s immense popularity has survived counteroffensive’s failure. A poll published by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology in December found 88% of Ukrainians supported the army chief compared to 62% for the President.

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Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, ” Zelensky, Valerii, Zaluzhnyi, Republicans hewing, Donald Trump, Serhiy Nykyforov, Zalzhnyi, Zalzhnyi’s, CNN’s Joshua Berlinger Organizations: CNN, RAI, European Union, Republicans, Kyiv Institute of Sociology Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Zaluzhnyi, European, Washington