Interview
26 August 2025

Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny at the center of diplomatic tensions with the U.S. – Ahmad Shahidov spoke to ARB24 from Washington DC

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and currently the country’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valeriy Zaluzhny, has in recent days found himself at the center of a new diplomatic controversy. According to The Guardian, shortly after the tense Oval Office meeting in February between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington sought to reach out to Zaluzhny. Reports say that U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s team attempted to arrange a phone call with Ukraine’s ambassador in London, but Zaluzhny, after consulting with Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, declined to respond.

The development has sparked diverse commentary both in Kyiv and across Western capitals. Official sources firmly deny that Zaluzhny harbors any political ambitions. His press service has repeatedly emphasized that under wartime conditions, the priority remains defending the country, not elections or political maneuvering.

Speaking to ARB24 from Washington, political commentator Ahmad Shahidov said Zaluzhny’s decision carried both domestic and international implications:
“By not answering the call, Zaluzhny signaled his loyalty to Zelensky while also showing caution toward Washington’s overtures. Yet, this incident also revealed that the U.S. is no longer focused solely on Zelensky but is also exploring potential future leaders of Ukraine. This suggests a possible shift in the political balance.”

Ahmad Shahidov further added:
“For now, Zaluzhny is keeping himself outside of the political process, but his high popularity and reputation in the West ensure his name remains in the spotlight. If the political situation in Ukraine changes in the coming months, his role could become far more prominent. At present, however, he remains in a ‘waiting’ position — which itself keeps him a central figure both in Kyiv and in Washington.”

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Ahmad Shahidov AIDHR Armenia democracy Europe hostages human rights human rights defenders interview journalist Nagornoy Karabakh OSCE political prisoners Turkiye war

Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny at the center of diplomatic tensions with the U.S. – Ahmad Shahidov spoke to ARB24 from Washington DC

26 August 2025

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and currently the country’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valeriy Zaluzhny, has in recent days found himself at the center of a new diplomatic controversy. According to The Guardian, shortly after the tense Oval Office meeting in February between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington sought to reach out to Zaluzhny. Reports say that U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s team attempted to arrange a phone call with Ukraine’s ambassador in London, but Zaluzhny, after consulting with Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, declined to respond.

The development has sparked diverse commentary both in Kyiv and across Western capitals. Official sources firmly deny that Zaluzhny harbors any political ambitions. His press service has repeatedly emphasized that under wartime conditions, the priority remains defending the country, not elections or political maneuvering.

Speaking to ARB24 from Washington, political commentator Ahmad Shahidov said Zaluzhny’s decision carried both domestic and international implications:
“By not answering the call, Zaluzhny signaled his loyalty to Zelensky while also showing caution toward Washington’s overtures. Yet, this incident also revealed that the U.S. is no longer focused solely on Zelensky but is also exploring potential future leaders of Ukraine. This suggests a possible shift in the political balance.”

Ahmad Shahidov further added:
“For now, Zaluzhny is keeping himself outside of the political process, but his high popularity and reputation in the West ensure his name remains in the spotlight. If the political situation in Ukraine changes in the coming months, his role could become far more prominent. At present, however, he remains in a ‘waiting’ position — which itself keeps him a central figure both in Kyiv and in Washington.”

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