LONDON – Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi brushed off speculation about challenging President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “pub talk” Monday, vowing to address his future only after martial law lifts post-war. Speaking at Chatham House think tank, now Ukraine’s UK ambassador, Zaluzhnyi said: “When it is over, when martial law is lifted… only then will we discuss my personal future.” He sidestepped polls naming him Zelenskiy’s top rival.
Zaluzhnyi led Ukraine’s forces until February 2024, when Zelenskiy facing U.S. pressure for a peace deal, ousted him amid reported tensions detailed in a recent Associated Press interview. Zelenskiy has pledged elections once fighting ends. Pressed on presidential ambitions, Zaluzhnyi quipped: “I should go to one of the wonderful pubs in this city… it’s pub talk, actually, or bar talk.”The remarks fuel buzz over post-war politics as Ukraine navigates Russia’s invasion.