Zaluzhny Denies Preparations for Elections: Political Games Under Scrutiny
In Ukraine’s political and military circles, suspicions and rumors continue to swirl regarding Valeriy Zaluzhny, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom.
However, official sources categorically dismiss any reports about his involvement in preparing for upcoming elections.
Media reports and speculative headlines quickly faded when Oksana Torop, Zaluzhny’s spokesperson, stated in an NV interview that as long as the war persists, Zaluzhny remains focused on military affairs, with no plans to participate in any electoral processes.
She emphasized that the rumors about his supposed election preparations are provoked by political intrigue and manipulated information designed to stir tensions.
Attention was drawn to an article by the French portal Intelligence Online, which claimed Zaluzhny had approached top military officials with an offer to join a political party in case of his presidential candidacy.
Torop clarified that such reports are false and based solely on anonymous sources, pointing out that these stories are part of a continuous chain of disinformation, similar to previous rumors about the formation of a pre-election headquarters in London.
She warned the public not to fall for these fabrications and stressed the importance of unity and support for the military during the ongoing conflict.
Western media have previously reported on Zaluzhny’s interactions with Ukraine’s presidential office; for example, The Guardian mentioned an alleged proposal from President Zelensky’s team for Zaluzhny to join his campaign, which the general reportedly refused.
Despite high trust levels among the Ukrainian population, recent polls show that Zaluzhny’s popularity in presidential elections remains lower than that of Zelensky, highlighting the complex political landscape and ongoing informational battles.