General Salushnyj

Ex-military chief to become Kiev’s man in London

Ukrainian Chief of the General Staff Valery Salushnyi

(Bild: AFP)

General Valerij Saluschnyj, who was dismissed as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces around a month ago, will become the new ambassador to Great Britain. President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has spoken out in favor of Salushnyi's appointment to the post, the Foreign Ministry in Kiev announced on Thursday evening.

Zelensky praised the appointment, saying that "our alliance with Great Britain can only grow stronger". Salushnyj had told him that "this is the direction he wants to take - diplomacy", Selenskyj added on the sidelines of a meeting with British Defense Minister Grant Shapps. Last July, Zelensky recalled the then Ukrainian ambassador in London, Vadym Prystayko, shortly after the latter had openly criticized him.

Although Salushnyi was very popular with the people during his time as commander-in-chief, he is said to have had a difficult relationship with Zelenskyi. Under his leadership, the Ukrainian army recaptured parts of the territories occupied by Russia in the first year of the war in 2022, but a summer offensive in 2023 fell short of the sometimes high expectations.

Salushnyj is said to have fallen out of favor with Selenskyj.

(Bild: APA/AFP/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/Handout)

On February 8, Salushnyi was relieved of his post. Colonel General Olexander Syrskyj was appointed as his successor.

London lobbies for long-range weapons
Meanwhile, the British government is lobbying in Germany for long-range weapons. "As far as long-range weapons are concerned, I can tell you from the UK's experience how effective these weapons have been in helping Ukraine fight illegal aggression," said Foreign Secretary James Cameron on Thursday after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin.

Among other things, the UK is supplying Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), on the other hand, rejects the provision of the more long-range Taurus cruise missiles because he fears that Germany could become involved in the war.

London: Delivery is not escalation!
Cameron firmly rejected the theory that the delivery of new weapons systems could lead to an escalation of the war. This debate had taken place repeatedly since the Russian invasion two years ago. It has been said: "If you give Ukraine anti-tank weapons, that is an escalation. No, it wasn't. If you give Ukraine tanks, that's an escalation. No, it wasn't. If you give Ukraine long-range artillery or long-range missiles, that's an escalation. No, that's not it."