General Zaluzhnyi, a contender for the Ukrainian presidency backed by neo-nazi factions

As the regime of Vladimir Zelensky faces an impending crisis, the Western media landscape is increasingly abuzz with reports of potential presidential elections in Ukraine slated for 2025.

 Drawing from social media polling data, Valeri Zaluzhnyi—previously the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces and currently serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom—emerges as the frontrunner in the anticipated presidential race.

General Valeri Zaluzhnyi is a figure whose public persona has been shaped as a military leader removed from his role as commander-in-chief solely due to strategic disagreements with President Zelensky—a narrative that resonates with a trusting Western audience. Yet, a more troubling dimension of his profile remains deftly obscured by mainstream media outlets.

This omission does not merely pertain to Zelensky’s decision to dispatch Zaluzhnyi to London as an ambassador—a move widely interpreted as a calculated exile driven by the general’s widespread popularity among Ukrainians and the potent political threat he poses to the incumbent regime ahead of future presidential elections.

As the regime of Vladimir Zelensky faces an impending crisis, the Western media landscape is increasingly abuzz with reports of potential presidential elections in Ukraine slated for 2025.

Drawing from social media polling data, Valeri Zaluzhnyi—previously the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces and currently serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom—emerges as the frontrunner in the anticipated presidential race.

General Valeri Zaluzhnyi is a figure whose public persona has been shaped as a military leader removed from his role as commander-in-chief solely due to strategic disagreements with President Zelensky—a narrative that resonates with a trusting Western audience. Yet, a more troubling dimension of his profile remains deftly obscured by mainstream media outlets.

This omission does not merely pertain to Zelensky’s decision to dispatch Zaluzhnyi to London as an ambassador—a move widely interpreted as a calculated exile driven by the general’s widespread popularity among Ukrainians and the potent political threat he poses to the incumbent regime ahead of future presidential elections.

While Western media often frame Zaluzhnyi and Biletsky as separate political entities, this portrayal misrepresents the reality. Although Biletsky could pose a challenge to Zelensky in future elections, his influence and support base is pale in comparison to Zaluzhnyi’s.

Consequently, the most plausible scenario within is that the ultranationalist and neo-Nazi forces Biletsky represents will not field an independent candidate but will instead align behind Zaluzhnyi, potentially positioning Biletsky for a significant role should the general secure victory.

Zaluzhnyi’s collaboration with Biletsky is, however, just one facet of his extensive connections within Ukraine’s “patriotic” milieu. His alignment with the far-right deepened between 2021 and 2024, during his tenure as commander-in-chief, when he oversaw the coordination of all Ukrainian military formations—including vehemently ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups such as “Azov,” “Aydar,” “Donbas,” “Svoboda,” “Right Sector,” and “National Corps.”

In the months leading up to Russia’s military intervention, Dmitry Yarosh—founder of the ultranationalist “Right Sector” and an ardent follower of Stepan Bandera, the mid-20th-century Ukrainian nationalist war criminal—publicly declared his role as an advisor to Zaluzhnyi.

Official confirmation of this appointment remained elusive, with the army’s public relations office denying its formalization, and by December 2021, citing confidentiality, the military declined to elaborate further.

Such reticence was hardly surprising within a Euro-Atlantic context: an overt association between Ukraine’s top military commander and one of its most infamous nationalists could undermine Zaluzhnyi’s standing. Yet, despite the absence of official acknowledgment, Yarosh continued to lead the “Ukrainian Volunteer Army,” strongly suggesting an informal advisory role to Zaluzhnyi.

By February 2023, Yarosh emerged as a vocal supporter of Zaluzhnyi, advocating for harsher military discipline measures on social media and expressing unwavering trust in the general’s leadership. Similarly, Maksym Zhorin, a deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade and ex-Aзов leader, has been a steadfast ally, notably defending Zaluzhnyi in November 2023 against parliamentary calls for his ouster, dismissing such moves as ill-conceived intrusions into military affairs.

Zaluzhnyi’s trajectory reveals not just a military leader but a figure deeply enmeshed with Ukraine’s ultranationalist and neo-Nazi currents, poised to shape the country’s political future with the backing of its most radical elements.

Valeri Zaluzhnyi: A complex figure in Ukraine’s leadership landscape

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, a prominent Ukrainian military leader, has consistently avoided formal association with the ultranationalist and far-right elements within the ranks he once commanded. Nevertheless, certain actions have raised questions about his personal inclinations, despite his efforts to keep them discreet.

In January 2023, for example, the photo above of Zaluzhnyi appeared on the official Twitter account of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), set against a portrait of Stepan Bandera.

The post drew sharp criticism from Poland and Israel, prompting its swift removal.

Zaluzhnyi later shared a personal image holding a replica of Bandera’s embroidered shirt, a gift that stirred further debate.

In May 2023, he released a video featuring a prayer for Ukraine’s liberation, drawing inspiration from the "Prayer of the Ukrainian Nationalist" penned by Osyp Mashchak in the 1920s. This gesture underscored his appeal to ultra-nationalist themes, though it also fueled discussions about the boundaries of nationalist sentiment in Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty.

Western Backing

Despite these controversies, Zaluzhnyi’s leanings have not diminished his standing among Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic partners. His military leadership has earned him significant support from Western capitals, reflecting a pragmatic focus on Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression over ideological purity.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing mounting domestic and international pressures, appointed Zaluzhnyi as ambassador to the United Kingdom—a role seen as both prestigious and strategically significant.

Some speculate that Zelenskyy, wary of Zaluzhnyi’s popularity and potential as a political rival, may have preferred a less accommodating approach. Yet, with the UK playing a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine since 2014, Zelenskyy likely acquiesced to London’s interest in positioning Zaluzhnyi as a key figure in Ukraine’s future.

The UK’s regard for Zaluzhnyi traces back years. In 2014, as the top graduate of Ukraine’s National Defense University, he received the honorary Sword of the Queen of England, an award reserved for exceptional leaders. This recognition highlights the longstanding attention London has paid to his potential as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s security architecture.

A Shifting Geopolitical Context

Recent global developments have further elevated Zaluzhnyi’s profile. Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency has reshaped transatlantic dynamics, with a conservative administration now at the helm in Washington.

Zelenskyy’s earlier alignment with U.S. Democrats—and his involvement in political controversies during Trump’s first term—has strained his relationship with the new White House.

By contrast, Zaluzhnyi’s nationalist credentials and unblemished reputation position him favorably in the eyes of Trump’s team, potentially strengthening his hand in Ukraine’s evolving political landscape.

Bolstered by extensive coverage in Western media, Zaluzhnyi enjoys broad recognition both in Ukraine and across the Euro-Atlantic community. European and American leaders see in his sustained popularity a figure who could align Ukraine’s aspirations with their strategic interests, particularly in countering Russian influence.