Ukraine sowed confusion on Monday about whether its defence minister would be replaced, creating doubts about the leadership of its war effort just as it braces for an expected Russian offensive.
The questions over Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov were the first public sign of serious disarray in Ukraine's wartime leadership.
A day after announcing that Reznikov would be sidelined, a top ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appeared to row back, saying no changes would be made this week.
David Arakhamia, chief of the parliamentary bloc of Zelenskiy's party, had said the 37-year-old head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, would replace Reznikov, who would become minister of strategic industries.
But Zelenskiy remained silent, while Reznikov said on Sunday he had heard nothing.
The confusion caps a two-week crackdown on alleged official wrongdoing, Ukraine's biggest political and administrative shakeup since Russia invaded a year ago.
Central and regional officials were fired or quit, security forces raided a billionaire's home and investigations were launched into suspected fraud at the main oil company and refinery. The Defence Ministry was accused of overpaying for food, although Reznikov was not personally accused of any wrongdoing.
Zelenskiy says he needs to show that Kyiv can be a safe steward of billions of dollars of Western aid. But the moves may risk destabilising a political class that had stood together against Russia's invasion.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have been advancing for the first time in six months in relentless battles in the east. A regional governor said Moscow was pouring in reinforcements for a new offensive that could begin next week.
'EVERYTHING WILL BE RESOLVED'
Ukraine is itself planning a spring offensive, but awaiting delivery of promised longer-range Western missiles and battle tanks.
Some of the West's support has also come in the form of economic sanctions, and there was a sign that these were hitting Russia's foreign revenues just as it raises spending on the war.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.