Ex-Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi Eyes Presidential Run, Reports Indicate
Poinews.com – Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who once led Ukraine’s military forces and now serves as the nation’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, is reportedly preparing to challenge President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the upcoming presidential elections, according to recent domestic media reports.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, a major Ukrainian news outlet, Zaluzhnyi was invited to Kyiv in mid-June. During this meeting, Zelenskyy reportedly asked the former top military officer if he would run for president if the elections were held in autumn. The reports suggest Zaluzhnyi confirmed his intentions, stating that he had not previously pursued politics, yet “many people have placed their faith in him, and he cannot explain why he would ignore that confidence.”
Public Trust Remains Stable for Zelenskyy
As of early June, public confidence in Zelenskyy among Ukrainians stood at 61%, according to data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). This figure shows little change compared to earlier polls in April, indicating sustained support for the incumbent leader.
KIIS also surveyed respondents on their trust in both political and military figures. Among politicians, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov received the highest rating at 52%, though this remains lower than Zelenskyy’s score. However, within the military sector, several figures garnered higher approval, including Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, who was trusted by 70% of respondents. Budanov, head of Zelenskyy’s office, also maintained a 70% trust rating. Neither Brovdi nor Budanov, however, has publicly declared interest in a political campaign.
From Battlefield to Diplomacy
Zaluzhnyi was appointed commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces in July 2021, just months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion. His selection, reportedly made personally by Zelenskyy, was unexpected by many. Following the February 2022 attack, Zaluzhnyi became a national hero after leading the defense of Kyiv and preventing a wider Russian takeover, despite his limited public presence.
As Ukrainian forces transitioned from defense to counteroffensive in 2022, Zaluzhnyi’s name became emblematic of resilience and strategic success. His reputation grew to near-mythical proportions, inspiring stories and legends among the populace. Yet, in February 2024, Zelenskyy replaced him, citing the need to “renew the leadership” of the military after a faltering counteroffensive in 2023.
“The inability of state institutions in Ukraine to improve the manpower levels of our armed forces without the use of unpopular measures” was the frustration Zaluzhnyi expressed in an opinion piece on the eve of his removal.
Shortly after his departure from the military, Zaluzhnyi was named Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK. Zelenskyy announced the appointment in 2024, stating that Zaluzhnyi had indicated a preference for diplomacy. Since then, the former general has remained largely out of public view, though his legacy endures. His current trust rating of 73% positions him as a potential rival to Zelenskyy in the presidential race, should it occur soon.
