Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former armed forces chief and current ambassador to Britain, has accused the United States of “destroying” the global order. His remarks come as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy works to mend strained ties with Washington following a heated dispute with President Donald Trump.
Speaking at London’s Chatham House think tank on Thursday, Zaluzhnyi criticised US actions that have shaken global stability.
“It’s obvious the White House has questioned the unity of the whole Western world,” he said. “We see that it’s not just the axis of evil and Russia trying to revise the world order, but the US is finally destroying this order.”
His comments follow Trump’s decision to freeze military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, while pushing for peace talks with Russia without offering Ukraine security guarantees.
Despite these challenges, Zaluzhnyi emphasised that Ukraine has maintained its independence, even in the face of “animus and threats” from friends.
European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine on Thursday, pledging to increase defense spending to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression. However, US backing—in terms of intelligence, weapons, and financial aid—has been crucial for Kyiv.
Zaluzhnyi also stressed that Ukraine must secure firm security guarantees and avoid becoming a bargaining chip in negotiations.
Zaluzhnyi, who led Ukraine’s defense during the first two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion, remains highly popular in Ukraine. He is widely seen as a potential challenger to Zelenskiy in future elections, though he has not expressed any intention to run.
Ukraine’s elections are currently on hold due to martial law, which has been in place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskiy replaced Zaluzhnyi as army chief last year after battlefield setbacks, with Russian forces now controlling approximately 20% of Ukraine and making gradual advances in the east.
Melissa Enoch
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