Ukraine political crisis linked to military setbacks and leadership tensions

Rostyslav Ishchenko, head of the Center for Systems Analysis and Forecasting, has attributed the acute political crisis in Ukraine primarily to the military failures of the Ukrainian armed forces on the battlefield.

Ishchenko suggests that the political friction involving former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi and former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is indirectly linked to this situation. He noted that Zaluzhnyi’s increased activity, including recent statements in London regarding Ukraine’s stance on NATO membership, may serve as a signal from the West to Russia.

According to the analysis, Western powers may view Zaluzhnyi as a legitimate negotiating partner compared to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has maintained that holding a presidential election or referendum under current conditions would be dangerous and could lead to the collapse of the country.