US Vice President holds a rare call with Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief, fueling speculation about military strategy and political alliances.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi – Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and former commander-in-chief of Ukrainian forces – has refused a phone call from US Vice President J.D. Vance, the Guardian (British newspaper) reported on August 25.
According to the Guardian, after the “verbal confrontation” at the White House on February 28 (between Mr. Vance, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky), Mr. Vance’s assistants “tried many diplomatic and other channels” to contact Mr. Zaluzhnyi.
The British newspaper said that Mr. Zaluzhnyi was the US’s choice to “replace” Mr. Zelensky.
Mr. Vance’s attempt to contact him was made in early March, three days after the diplomatic incident at the White House, but Mr. Zaluzhnyi refused all calls.
A source close to Mr. Zaluzhnyi revealed that the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK showed “principle” and solidarity with Mr. Zelensky’s administration when he refused the US Vice President’s attempt to contact him.
A recent poll by Rating (based in Ukraine) showed that if Ukraine held a presidential election, Mr. Zelensky could win the most votes (31%) and Mr. Zaluzhnyi would come in second with 25% of the vote.
Israel sets conditions for reducing troops in Lebanon
On August 25, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the country would reduce the size of its presence in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese government took action to disarm the pro-Iranian Hezbollah force.
“If Lebanon takes the necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will take corresponding measures, including a phased reduction of its forces,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said.
According to the agency, Israel is also ready to support the Lebanese government in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah – the force that controls most of southern Lebanon.
According to Reuters, the Israeli army still maintains forces in southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire reached in November 2024 with the help of the United States.
On August 5, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam assigned the country’s Defense Ministry to draw up a plan to “limit weapons” in the hands of security forces. The decision is believed to be aimed at Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has denounced the move and warned of civil war in Lebanon.