Zaluzhnyi declined, but also pledged loyalty, up to a point. He promised Yermak he would not criticise Zelenskyy in public while the war continued
What in the loaded bullshit
What is the point of this type of innuendo?
So far, Zaluzhnyi has not communicated that message, although there is an increasing belief in Kyiv that he is readying a political run. The general is coy even privately with close associates about his plans, but many assume he is just biding his time before entering the fray.
So… there’s no particular reason to think he might have any interest in politics at all, but The Guardian is real enthusiastic about painting it that he’s just “biding his time.”
Others in Ukraine see him as a potential political figure. He didn’t deny the possibility to become one - which is a hint as bold as you can get.
There is an informal rule in Ukraine to put politics aside during the war. Cause Ukrainian society was very divided by politics, much alike USA. Protests recently were an exception, because people felt like the current government break the “no politics, everything to win the war” rule with their powergrab move towards anticorruption institutions.
Zaluzhnyi is a previous commander, he knows well why this is so important not to bring politics back. He is also undeniable pro-Ukrainian. Even if I wouldn’t like him as a president, I can applaud to his principles.
Others in Ukraine see him as a potential political figure.
Which others, though? Specifically who in Ukraine sees him as a potential political figure? The only one named in the article is Paul Manafort.
There is so much vigorous disinformation in this space that I want to read pretty critically anything that sounds like this, and I saw plenty of stink lines crop up more or less instantly when I held it close to my face. For all I know it’s legit, it just ticks a few of the disinfo boxes.
He is stable second place. Nobody is even close. I bet Zelensky himself do see him as a major threat for his reelections.
Paul Manafort was just one of the names we heard. But with his ratings, he can be picky about who he is dealing with. Literally any oligarch in Ukraine would pay him a lot if that means he would do some favours.
What in the loaded bullshit
What is the point of this type of innuendo?
So… there’s no particular reason to think he might have any interest in politics at all, but The Guardian is real enthusiastic about painting it that he’s just “biding his time.”
Others in Ukraine see him as a potential political figure. He didn’t deny the possibility to become one - which is a hint as bold as you can get.
There is an informal rule in Ukraine to put politics aside during the war. Cause Ukrainian society was very divided by politics, much alike USA. Protests recently were an exception, because people felt like the current government break the “no politics, everything to win the war” rule with their powergrab move towards anticorruption institutions.
Zaluzhnyi is a previous commander, he knows well why this is so important not to bring politics back. He is also undeniable pro-Ukrainian. Even if I wouldn’t like him as a president, I can applaud to his principles.
Which others, though? Specifically who in Ukraine sees him as a potential political figure? The only one named in the article is Paul Manafort.
There is so much vigorous disinformation in this space that I want to read pretty critically anything that sounds like this, and I saw plenty of stink lines crop up more or less instantly when I held it close to my face. For all I know it’s legit, it just ticks a few of the disinfo boxes.
I mean, all the opinion polls for starters?
https://ukraine-elections.com.ua/uk/socopros/vybory_prezidenta
https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/02/20/7499275/
https://www.iri.org/resources/national-survey-of-ukraine-july-2025/
https://socis.kiev.ua/ua/2025-06-25/
He is stable second place. Nobody is even close. I bet Zelensky himself do see him as a major threat for his reelections.
Paul Manafort was just one of the names we heard. But with his ratings, he can be picky about who he is dealing with. Literally any oligarch in Ukraine would pay him a lot if that means he would do some favours.