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[Telgin]

Right, which is one reason I feel like there had to be a very good reason for it, since I'm sure Zelensky is also aware of that.

I guess we'll see how it shakes out.  I also saw some rumblings about conscription coming up due to a shortage of soldiers, so this is probably going to get even more unpleasant for Ukrainians in the near future.

[heydude6]

My mom always thought Zelensky was an idiot, comparing him to Trump. If she's right, perhaps this is just the result of a petty disagreement. We all saw what Trump did with his loyalty tests.

[Strongpoint]

Note that scheduled presidential elections should have happened in November and Zelensky's term is ending in May. After that, his legitimacy will be somewhat questionable. And his ratings are going down and this decision will contribute to this a lot. I can't even begin to describe anger mixed with gloomy doom in the Ukrainian segment of social networks. 

IMO, Ukraine is heading into a serious political crisis.

[Maximum Spin]

My mom always thought Zelensky was an idiot, comparing him to Trump. If she's right, perhaps this is just the result of a petty disagreement. We all saw what Trump did with his loyalty tests.

Your mom's impression is basically consistent with mine.

... somehow that seems like a rude joke that went totally off track, but you know what I mean.

I've been following Ukrainian social media on and off for the past couple years, and while I haven't actually caught up on it recently because of doing other things, it really looks like some kind of uprising, maybe even a coup, is... not outside the realm of extreme plausibility.

[heydude6]

it really looks like some kind of uprising, maybe even a coup, is... not outside the realm of extreme plausibility.

Had similar thoughts, but I didn't want to vocalize them. We are that kind of people. My worry is that a coup will either get hijacked by malevolent interests, or it will give the world the excuse it wants to cut off aid. Many people would call such a new government illegitimate.

[Madman198237]

Ah yes because throwing a coup is DEFINITELY going to go well in the middle of a war, it always has in history! :face_palm:

Good decisions would be highly appreciated right about now, and you would think that the powers-that-be would be encouraged by the constantly-dire situation to, y'know, make those good decisions in the interests of continuing to have a country in which they can remain the powers-that-be.


Good luck, Ukraine, you're going to need it.

[Telgin]

A coup feels like it would pretty much be handing Ukraine to Russia, but for once I don't think I can see a way that Russia could be behind it.

[Il Palazzo]

for once I don't think I can see a way that Russia could be behind it.

For one, it could be spreading and reinforcing the meme of a coup through its social media trolls. Sowing discord is what they do.

Zaluzhny going out was long in the talks. It's hardly an out of the blue decision.

[hector13]

Isn’t Winter a pretty decent time for a change too? Not a whole lot going on?

[MaxTheFox]

Yeah, better do this when the front is basically locked down anyways than when there's a more dynamic struggle.

[Maximum Spin]

I would think that the situation in Avdiivka makes this a bad time - about a month ago would have been much better.

[anewaname]

If Zaluzhny becomes involved in politics against Zelensky, it will be a good thing. Zaluzhny has been in involved in the war against Russia since the beginning and he will not sell out Ukraine to Russia, which is exactly what any other candidate running against Zelensky is likely to do.

[MaxTheFox]

I would think that the situation in Avdiivka makes this a bad time - about a month ago would have been much better.

Fair.

If Zaluzhny becomes involved in politics against Zelensky, it will be a good thing. Zaluzhny has been in involved in the war against Russia since the beginning and he will not sell out Ukraine to Russia, which is exactly what any other candidate running against Zelensky is likely to do.

Spoiler effect not making everything worse for once...

[Strongpoint]

Some relevant sociology

Note how "popular" Zelensky was just before the war. He is slowly falling back there.

[bloop_bleep]

My dad also has a low opinion of Zelensky and thinks he made this decision for the wrong motivations. Though whenever I ask him for his sources he never gives me anything but vague descriptions. He has from time to time told me some somewhat plausible conspiracy theory that doesn't actually end up holding to the facts.

I sometimes wish Western allies would configure themselves more like Ukrainians are, with definite resolve in the goal but also with healthy skepticism towards government officials, who are servants of the goal and not indispensable in themselves, and with one's wits around oneself. I remember reading about how EU advisors were acquiescing to Ukrainian government officials' demands about an internationally-advised candidate selection process for a panel of judges in Ukraine because they were afraid of stepping on toes by exceeding their welcome. I hope some other representatives from Ukraine, say from NGOs, got in contact with them to tell them to step on some toes. This sort of attitude is most effective, I think.