• newsinsightplus.com
• 125m
• 160m.That
• March 7, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaValerii Zaluzhnyi: Ukraine to appoint ex-army chief as UK ambassadorPublished17 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, ReutersImage caption, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was sacked last month as Ukraine’s commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forcesBy James Waterhouse, Ukraine correspondent & Johanna ChisholmBBC News in Kyiv and LondonThe former head of Ukraine’s armed forces is to be appointed as the country’s ambassador to the UK. Valerii Zaluzhnyi was sacked by President Volodymyr Zelensky last month in what was the biggest shake-up to Ukraine’s military leadership since Russia’s full-scale invasion.The Ukrainian general had led the war effort since 2022.He had been seen as a potential political rival to Mr Zelensky and was popular among soldiers.Ukraine has not had an ambassador to the UK since Mr Zelensky dismissed former envoy Vadym Prystaiko in July 2023 after he publicly criticised the president.The foreign ministry said a request had been sent to the UK to finalise Gen Zaluzhnyi’s move.In announcing his appointment, Mr Zelensky claimed Gen Zaluzhnyi had told him diplomacy “is the direction he’d like to take”. Replacing him in the post last month was battle-hardened Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, who Mr Zelensky described at the time of his appointment as having both offensive and defensive experience.The decision to remove Gen Zaluzhnyi arrived at a time when the professional soldier was experiencing higher approval ratings than Mr Zelensky himself, spurring speculation that a rift had evolved between the two men.It is unclear whether this new appointment is a reward for Mr Zaluzhnyi’s previous service, or some political gaming. It is worth remembering that the former army chief has no diplomatic experience. Lack of experience, however, didn’t exactly hold Mr Zelensky back when he was elected president in 2019 after spending the lion’s share of his career as a comedian. In Ukraine, politics can be less about the parties and their manifestos, and more about the leader and their charisma. There are still some formal approvals to be done, but the BBC understands Gen Zaluzhnyi has accepted his new role as UK ambassador. This means he will likely be based in the capital of a warm ally of Ukraine’s, while representing its leader’s agenda. It crucially also means he will not be diverting support away from the president back home, as his boss is trying to balance mobilising thousands of men while also protecting the Ukrainian economy. That requires a united front. The Ukrainian leader had said at the time of Gen Zaluzhnyi’s sacking that leadership within the military ranks needed to be “renewed”, but added that the well-liked general could “remain on the team”.Is Russia turning the tide in Ukraine?Ukraine war in mapsMeanwhile, the UK announced on Thursday that it will supply Ukraine with more than 10,000 drones in a deal worth £125m ($160m).That is on top of £200m pledged earlier this year for drones as part of a larger military aid package. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who made the announcement while on a visit to Kyiv, also urged the UK’s allies to increase their own supplies of weapons. Ukraine has recently faced a variety of setbacks in its bid to drive Russia from its territory more than two years into the conflict. Last month, Ukraine’s defence minister said a delay in the delivery of half the promised Western aid had cost lives and territory. Related TopicsWar in UkraineVolodymyr ZelenskyUkraineMore on this storyGeneral’s sacking won’t instantly solve Ukraine’s battle woesPublished8 FebruaryZelensky sacks Ukraine’s commander-in-chiefPublished8 FebruaryZelensky sacks Ukraine’s UK envoy after criticismPublished21 July 2023Top StoriesConstance Marten: ‘I did nothing but show baby love’Published3 hours agoUS to set up temporary port on Gaza coast for aid deliveryPublished3 hours agoLabour and Tories accused of silence over cutsPublished4 hours agoFeaturesBiden faces high-stakes address to calm Democrat nervesImages show N Korea sealing its border with China’We know what’s coming’: East Ukraine braces for Russian advanceHow are the child benefit rules changing?Budget: Key points at a glancePampered pooches descend on NEC for CruftsAuthor Dame Jacqueline Wilson reads to zoo animals’Stampede’ of kangaroos invades Melbourne golf course. Video’Stampede’ of kangaroos invades Melbourne golf courseIs Hugh right about Oscar films being ‘frankly too long’?Elsewhere on the BBCCaffeine: Dangers and benefitsFind out what effects this drug can have on dementia and cardiovascular diseaseAttributionSoundsClosing the gap between body and bionicsA first-look at a revolutionary type of prosthetic armAttributioniPlayerFrom new shows to comfort telly to guilty pleasures…Self-confessed TV addicts Nat and Jo discuss what’s had us glued to our screens this weekAttributionSoundsRevisiting the brutal war between Britain and the IRAPeter Taylor talks to grieving families devastated by the loss of their loved onesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Whooping cough warning for England, as cases rise2Boy, 11, died trying social media craze – family3Sweden formally joins Nato military alliance4Constance Marten: ‘I did nothing but show baby love’5Images show N Korea sealing its border with China6Israel back in Eurovision 2024 after lyric change7Mordaunt defends Donelan over £15,000 legal bill8BBC Scotland presenter dies after short illness9Labour and Tories accused of silence over cuts10US to set up temporary port on Gaza coast for aid delivery

[ad_1] There are still some formal approvals to be done, but the BBC understands Gen Zaluzhnyi has accepted his new role as UK ambassador. This means he will likely be…