Zaluzhnyi found unfit for further military service before his appointment as ambassador to UK

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, underwent a military medical examination in the winter, before his appointment as ambassador to the United Kingdom, where he was found unfit for military service.

Source: Ukrainian news outlet ZN,UA with reference to its sources

Details: The news outlet stated that after being dismissed from his position at the decision of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zaluzhnyi was placed within the scope of responsibility of the Minister of Defence.

Quote: "Defence Minister Umierov did not offer Zaluzhnyi any significant military position commensurate with his level of training and experience, just as President Zelenskyy did not offer this before.

Under these circumstances, General Zaluzhnyi decided to resign from military service in order to have the opportunity and the right to do something else."

More details: Journalists explained that the delay of several weeks was due to the fact that after the passing of the law with the new list of military ranks, the corresponding changes to the regulatory framework, including presidential decrees, were not completed.

Therefore it was not clear who should dismiss Zaluzhnyi as a general from the military service — the Minister of Defence by his order or the President by his decree, as was previously the case for generals of the Ukrainian army.

For reference: An individual actively serving as a general cannot fulfil duties as a diplomat.

According to current legislation, after two months of being under the minister’s responsibility, the payment of monetary support to a serviceman, except for the salary for a military rank, is stopped.

For General Zaluzhnyi, who has the highest military rank, this amounts to 1,762 hryvnias per month (about US$47).

Background: 

• On 7 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the appointment of Zaluzhnyi as Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. 

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