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Zelensky must grasp the thorns of unpopularity.
Reports of friction between President Zelensky and General Zaluzhny, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is not a surprise. Protracted wars will always create a division between the needs of the military and the needs of the Government. The military leader has one mission 'Win the war!' The politician has other priorities, of which winning the war is only the first he must win the support of his own people and the people of the world to maintain his defences.
Both have proved to be extraordinary in their performance thus far. Both are popular with more than 80% of Ukraine. Not since Churchill and Eisenhower have there been two better united leaders, bound together with the aim of saving their nation and saving Europe.
Zaluzhny needs more men! Casualties and fatigue are wearing down his ability to fight and wants to mobilise a younger age group for conscription, perhaps as low as eighteen years of age. This is not unusual, the average age of soldiers in the 20th Century was nineteen years old. Young as this clearly is to contemporary minds, they are adults and are rising towards the peak of their physical prowess. They can be very good, competent fighters.
Zelensky knows this could create a backlash from the public, and is resisting. Military and political reality have come face to face; one must give. Currently, it must be the politics that gives; Zelensky must grasp the thorns of unpopularity. His role now is to give Zaluzhny what he needs and then convince the people of Ukraine that their nation has no choice.
Both realise a united front is essential and a solution must be achieved. Zelensky must not remove Zaluzhny, and Zaluzhny must not resign. The problems they encounter now are the problems great leaders have faced in many past wars. They must rise to the challenge.
Two things that would ease the pressure, would be greater confidence in the support of the USA, and prevention of Hungary from voting against Ukrainian support from the European Union.
Confidence and high morale are as important as men, Zelensky must provide all three and give Zaluzhny what he needs to continue the fight.
Slava Ukraini!
Who Dares Shares
Robin Horsfall
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