The decision to replace Ukraine's military leader, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, is moving forward.
Reuters reported that the statements follow days of speculation that Zelenskyi was to dismiss his popular army chief, seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero for overseeing the war effort since February 2022.
In a statement, Zelenskiy said he had met with Zaluzhnyi.
"We discussed what renewal the Armed Forces of Ukraine need. We also discussed who could be in the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The time for this renewal is now," he said.
He had asked the general to remain "on his team," he added.
In his own statement, Zaluzhnyi said he had had an "important and serious conversation" with Zelenskiy and that a decision had been made to change battlefield tactics and strategy.
"The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to new realities as well. To win together too," the statement read.
Obtained by Reuters, the two statements were published within moments of one another, suggesting that the two most prominent wartime figures in Ukraine had coordinated closely to to make the announcement and display their unity.
The change comes at a difficult time for Ukraine, with troops facing critical ammunition shortages and military assistance at a standstill in the United States.
According to an article by The Guardian, Zaluzhnyi has led the armed forces since before Russia's full-scale invasion and is a largely popular figure among soldiers and society at large, meaning replacing him could be a politically risky decision.
The Guardian also revealed that at a meeting last Monday, Zelenskiy told Zaluzhnyi he planned to replace him, according to those with knowledge of the conversation, and offered the general a chance to resign. But Zaluzhnyi refused to step down. When news of the conversation leaked, Zelenskiy's press secretary, Serhii Nykyforov, denied it.
"There is no subject of conversation," he told reporters.
"There is no order. The president did not dismiss the commander-in-chief."
The Ministry of Defense also denied the rumors.
Zelenskiy has admitted he is looking to make several significant changes as part of Ukraine's leadership reform.
"I have something serious in mind, which is not about a single person but the direction of the country's leadership," said Zelenskiy.
"I mean a replacement of a series of state leaders, not just in a single sector like the military. If we want to win we must all push in the same direction, convinced of victory, we cannot be discouraged, let our arms fall, we must have the right positive energy," he added.
Zelenskiy Faces Backlash
In a social media post on Monday afternoon, the Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko attacked Zelenskiy for the planned move, crediting Zaluzhnyi with Ukrainian military successes over the past two years.
"Unfortunately, the moment has come when politics might outweigh common sense and the interests of the state," quoted The Guardian.
Furthermore, the article stated that the Russians have advanced to positions close to the outskirts of Avdiivka . Avdiika is an industrial city just outside Donetsk, which has been occupied by Russia-backed forces since 2014.
At a campaign event last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin, boasted that Moscow's forces had seized "19 houses" on the outskirts of Avdiivka and were holding on to them.
