Zelensky Rival Reveals Rift Ahead of Peace Talks
A former Ukrainian army chief, widely seen as President Zelensky's top political rival, has publicly revealed a rift between them. The disclosure signals potential political volatility just as Zelensky says the next round of peace talks with Russia is expected in March.
The former army chief, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was dismissed by President Zelenskyy in February 2024 and now serves as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom. The move was widely seen as an attempt to sideline a potential political rival. Polls consistently show Zaluzhnyi with a slight lead over Zelenskyy in a hypothetical presidential race. Tensions between the two leaders reportedly began shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zaluzhnyi alleges that in September 2022, Ukraine's domestic intelligence service, the SBU, raided his office in an act of intimidation. He also claims the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive was due to Zelenskyy and other officials not committing the necessary resources. Nicknamed the "Iron General," Zaluzhnyi is a career military officer who, unlike many of his predecessors, has no Soviet military education. He is highly popular within the armed forces and is considered a national hero for repelling the initial assault on Kyiv. In February 2024, 94% of Ukrainians declared their trust in him. The upcoming peace talks, expected in Abu Dhabi, are being mediated by the U.S. and follow recent discussions in Geneva. However, Russia has signaled it is in no rush for a deal and insists Ukraine must be willing to cede territory, a condition Kyiv has rejected. Public sentiment in Ukraine regarding negotiations is complex. While a July 2025 Gallup poll showed 69% favor a negotiated end to the war, up from 22% in 2022, a January 2026 survey found that nearly 70% of Ukrainians doubt talks will bring lasting peace. A majority also believe Russia would attack again even if the conflict is frozen.
