Ukraine’s Zelenskyy replaces top military official ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a significant move by replacing the top official in his military ahead of a crucial call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The newly appointed chief of the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces is Andrii Hnatov, who brings with him over 27 years of military experience. Anatoliy Barhylevych, who had been serving in this position since February 2024, will now take on the role of general inspector of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed his appreciation for Barhylevych’s service, highlighting his experience and professionalism during challenging times. Umerov emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Armed Forces through changes in the management system and the implementation of clear standards.
The personnel change comes as Trump and Putin are scheduled to discuss the final points of a deal to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to acknowledge the progress made towards a final agreement but noted that there is still much work to be done. The call between the two leaders aims to address the pressing need to stop the loss of lives on both sides, with thousands of young soldiers falling victim to the ongoing conflict.
In preparation for the Trump-Putin call, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff held discussions with Putin in Moscow, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged with senior Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to secure their agreement to a ceasefire framework. Trump revealed that talks between Washington and Moscow have already commenced regarding the division of certain assets between Ukraine and Russia as part of a comprehensive deal to bring an end to the conflict.
The situation in both Russia and Ukraine remains dire, but there is hope for a peaceful resolution. Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement and ceasefire to bring an end to the hostilities. The international community awaits the outcome of the upcoming call between Trump and Putin, which could potentially pave the way for a significant breakthrough in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
This article was written based on information sourced from Fox News, with contributions from Louis Casiano and The Associated Press. Greg Norman, a reporter at Fox News Digital, provided insights into the developments surrounding the personnel changes in the Ukrainian military and the upcoming discussions between world leaders.
