Ukrainian president calls for unity after rift with top general

The Ukrainian leader also said this was not the right time for wartime elections. He called on Ukrainians to consolidate their country and not get drawn into infighting that could jeopardize counteroffensive efforts.

Ukrainian president calls for unity after row with top leader — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Photo: Reuters

“Everyone should now think about defending their country. We need to unite and avoid tension and division,” he said. “Without victory, there will be no country. Our victory is possible.”

Mr Zelenskyy's call came after tensions flared over the weekend between the presidential office and General Valery Zaluzhnyi, who likened the state of the battlefield with Russia to the stalemate from World War I.

Days later, Mr Zelenskyy dismissed the idea of any stalemate in the war, while his foreign affairs adviser said Mr Zaluzhnyi’s comments about the war were “very strange” and could benefit Russia.

The idea of a stalemate on the battlefield is sensitive in Kiev, which has repeatedly said it opposes any talks with Russia. Signs of tension come as pressure mounts on Kiev on the front lines and beyond.

Kiev has been waging a five-month counteroffensive and has yet to make any major breakthroughs in its heavily defended and occupied southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.

Questions are also swirling about the sustainability of Western military aid and Kiev fears it is entering a second winter of energy shortages as Russia continues its air campaign.

Trung Kien (according to Reuters)

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