In Ukraine, General Zalozny called on President Zelensky to return to his responsibilities

For the first time since the large-scale Russian invasion, the hugely popular Ukrainian Chief of Staff, Valery Zalozhny, participated in a press conference on Tuesday 26 December. Even then, his contacts with journalists could be counted on the fingers of one hand. It is believed that he has become a hot spot after accusations from political allies of President Volodymyr Zelensky aim to hold him responsible for the failure of the Ukrainian army to repel the Russian invaders. During his press conference on December 19, the Ukrainian president, whose popularity was clearly eroding, declared that he was not convinced by the General Staff's requests for mobilization. “450,000 to 500,000” Men to relieve soldiers who have been fighting for two years. Procrastination or the desire to shift this responsibility to a potential political competitor? In any case, Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet signed the mobilization order.

In his desire to provide an update on this topic, General Valery Zlogny indicated that he did not provide any numbers about the size of the mobilization, recalling that this decision is up to the political authorities. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the recruitment system, which he believes is unable to recruit a sufficient number of soldiers to relieve those who have been on the front lines for nearly two years. At the beginning of December, he criticized the president's decision to suddenly dismiss all regional directors of recruitment centers, some of whom were implicated in corruption cases. With the consequent, according to him, additional disturbance in the filling device.

During the press conference, the Chief of Staff clarified some very sensitive parameters at the political level, while the army is now struggling to attract Ukrainians to the flags. In particular, the duration of the commitment. He said: “We reached an agreement with the Ministry of Defense regarding the number of thirty-six months, based on two points: The general said. The first is that there will be no escalation on the front. The second condition, which is the most important, is that there be replacements for the soldiers who arrive at the end of thirty-six months. I hope that we are up to the task of replacing these people who are doing their work in very difficult circumstances. Of course I agree that they should be discharged, because they need time to rest. »

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