Ukraine Makes Major Changes in Response to Russian Aggression
In the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, President Zelensky has decided to make significant changes within the Ukrainian military and seek justice through international legal channels.
First, a Reuters report on February 3 revealed that the Ukrainian government plans to remove Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces responsible for overseeing Ukraine’s anti-Russian efforts. This decision comes after tensions between Zelensky and Zaluzny reached a breaking point, with disagreements over military strategy and mobilization efforts.
However, the process of removing Zaluzny as commander-in-chief is currently on hold as the two sides negotiate the next steps. Despite this, sources close to Zelensky’s office have stated that the U.S. has no objection to Zaluzny’s removal, signaling potential support from the international community.
Zaluzny’s removal may have a significant impact on the morale of the Ukrainian army, as he is considered a popular and respected figure within the military. The plan to replace Zaluzny may still be delayed, but it signals Ukraine’s commitment to finding new methods to continue the war against Russia.
In addition to internal changes, Ukraine is also seeking justice through international legal channels. On February 2, the International Court of Justice made several decisions related to the Russia-Ukraine war. The court ruled to hear a case related to the crime of genocide, with Ukraine seeking to disprove Russia’s claims that Ukraine committed genocide in eastern Ukraine, which served as a pretext for Russia’s invasion.
The court’s ruling also addressed Ukraine’s request to rule on whether Russia’s invasion violated the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which was rejected. Instead, the court will rule on whether Ukraine committed genocide in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The outcome of these legal proceedings will be crucial in determining the international community’s stance on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Lastly, Ukraine has taken a bold step by listing 48 companies around the world as “funders of international wars,” including 14 Chinese companies. This move has led to tensions with China, a key ally of Russia. China has demanded that the listed Chinese companies be removed from the blacklist to avoid damaging bilateral relations.
Ukraine’s actions show a determination to seek justice and make strategic changes in its approach to the ongoing conflict with Russia, as well as its willingness to confront potential diplomatic fallout with powerful allies.