Since his dismissal from the head of the Ukrainian army in 2024, and his appointment as ambassador to London, Valerii Zalujnîi is widely seen as the main political rival of President Volodimir Zelenski.
At the age of 52, Zalujîi avoids talking about potential political ambitions, saying he does not want to undermine national unity at a time when the war with Russia is approaching its fourth year. However, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, he publicly described for the first time a deep rift between him and the head of state — a gesture interpreted by some as a possible signal regarding his intentions after the end of the conflict.
The 2022 Raid and Intimidation Allegations
According to Zalujnîi, tensions arose shortly after the large-scale invasion launched by Russia in February 2022. Disagreements over defense strategy would have degenerated, by the end of that year, into an unprecedented incident: dozens of agents of the Ukrainian internal intelligence service would have descended on his office.
The former general claims that the action was an act of intimidation, at a time when national unity was essential. He says he prevented the agents from checking documents and computers and that he called Andrii Iermak, the president’s chief of staff, warning that he was prepared to mobilize military forces to protect the command center.
Also, Zalujnîi says he contacted the then head of the Security Service, Vasîl Maliuk, who would have denied knowing about the operation and promised clarifications.
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