On Thursday, May 9, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky appointed ex-commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK.
Valeriy Zaluzhny has been officially appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK. Prior to this, he was dismissed from military service due to health reasons. Vladimir Zelensky said that Zaluzhny himself asked for such an appointment. On February 8, the president dismissed Zaluzhny from the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
What to do in London?
British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris has congratulated the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on his new appointment.
“I sincerely congratulate Valery Zaluzhny on his appointment as Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK. I look forward to working together to strengthen our unbreakable alliance and advance our 100-year partnership,” Harris wrote.
Former ambassador to Britain and former foreign minister Vadim Prystaiko predicts that when Zaluzhny comes to the UK as ambassador, he will provide more aid to Ukraine.
“I think our British friends took a big risk when they announced that this is the biggest package ever (the biggest aid package for Ukraine from the UK, worth more than $600 million, announced on April 23 ). Because now they have to say the biggest package when General Zaluzhny comes and can share what he knows about how difficult this war is, how much we need help and what kind of help, “said Prystaiko.
The diplomat expressed the opinion that Zaluzhny could not have such a conversation when he was the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but now he will have such an opportunity and prepare the British military “to understand if how to defeat Russia .”
“Our task is to ensure that our new ambassador has the opportunity to be always and everywhere. So that he is present everywhere – in all television broadcasts, military meetings, students, politicians, So he can proudly report that since he arrived, Britain has been giving us about three billion pounds a year. These are serious, serious means, ” added Prystaiko.
The ambassador has been gone for a long time
In the summer of 2023, speaking to reporters, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that Ukraine should be more grateful for the help provided by its partners. To this, Zelensky rather rudely replied that “we can wake up in the morning and thank the minister personally.”
In an interview with Sky News, the then Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Prystaiko was asked to comment on this scandal. “There is no need for unhealthy banter between friendly countries,” he diplomatically replied.
Kyiv did not like this reaction of the ambassador. Zelensky fired Prystaiko, without much explanation. Since then, for 9 months, there has been no Ukrainian ambassador to our country’s main partner. His duties are performed by Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires in the UK, Eduard Fesko, Prystaiko’s former deputy.
“No matter how professional the temporary charges are, if you don’t have an ambassador, you don’t have a chance to reach the high level of communication that we need today. For example, I know the royal family, prime minister, minister, chief judge. The temporary attorney is limited to these contacts. Having an ambassador is very important for the country,” said Prystaiko.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba believes that Zaluzhny’s military background will be an advantage in the post of Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK.
According to Kuleba, he had several conversations with Zaluzhny, during which he was convinced that “the soul of our respected general, the former commander-in-chief, is devoted to diplomatic work.”
“In addition, he also has a special education – apparently in 2020 he received a master’s degree in international relations, I think this is a very logical step as a minister, I am certainly interested in a strong experience in the post -London.
According to the minister, one of the main requirements for the ambassador to Britain is an understanding of the military context. London is also one of the world’s most important capitals, home to the embassies of countries in the Global South.
“They don’t send anyone there. London is a very important destination for any country and dealing with these ambassadors who work in London, I am convinced that Valery Zaluzhny will be one of the most respected figures, and he will bring a lot of benefits not only in terms of bilateral relations with Britain, but for behind-the-scenes diplomacy in Asian, African, and Latin American countries,” emphasized Kuleba.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.