Zelensky government says there is no impasse in the war with Russia and increases tension with the Ukrainian military

The apparent divisions between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military command are becoming increasingly public following the bitter back-and-forth in the war with Russia.

Igor Zhovka, deputy chief of Zelensky’s cabinet, condemned on Saturday (4) an assessment by Ukraine’s military chief that the war with Russia is at an “impasse”, which has deepened an internal rivalry in Ukraine that has increased concerns about Western support for the conflict.

He was responding to an interview with military chief Valery Zaluzhny in The Economist on Wednesday, when he said: “We have reached the level of technology that puts us at an impasse” and “there probably won’t be any deep, beautiful advances” in war.

Zhovka told Ukrainian television that Zaluzhny’s interview had been “carefully read, noted and will generate conclusions” by the Russians. He said he has received calls from “panicked” partner country counterparts asking whether the war really is at a stalemate, as described by Zaluzhny.

“Is this the effect we wanted to achieve with this article?” Zhovka said.

“Maybe this is a very deep strategic plan and we will achieve some success this way. But, to be honest, I am very surprised,” Zhovka added.

War fatigue

Tensions are rising at a crucial time in the war, with Ukraine’s slow counteroffensive and the outbreak of violence in the Middle East raising fears that Western financial and military aid to Kiev could begin to dwindle.

Zelensky also disagreed with Zaluzhnyi’s assessment during a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday, but admitted that people are “tired” after 18 months of war in the country.

“People are tired. Everyone is tired. There are different opinions […] Everyone is human, regardless of status. But this is not an impasse. I emphasize this once again. We’ve already talked about this. This is not some kind of news,” Zelensky said.

“We all need to come together and solve the problems, work harder with our air defense partners, unlock the skies and allow our men to take offensive action. That’s what we need to think about. Just about that. Not about where we will be tomorrow. But now,” Zelensky said.

Zaluzhny also outlined in his interview his vision of what Ukraine needs to do and the type of support from partners needed for Kiev to break the stalemate in the war.

But his general characterization of the conflict raised eyebrows in Ukraine and made international headlines. The concern surfaced in Zelensky’s interview with Time magazine, which painted the Ukrainian president as an isolated figure.

“No one believes in our victory like I do. Nobody,” Zelensky told Time, adding that instilling these beliefs in Ukraine’s allies “requires all of your power, your energy.”

“War exhaustion advances like a wave. You see it in the United States, in Europe,” Zelensky said.

See images of the war between Russia and Ukraine