Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former armed forces chief and current ambassador to Britain, has accused the United States of undermining global stability, claiming that Washington is “destroying” the world order.
His remarks come as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy works to repair relations with Washington, following a heated dispute with President Donald Trump over military aid and peace negotiations with Russia.
Speaking at London’s Chatham House think tank on Thursday, Zaluzhnyi sharply criticized recent U.S. actions that he says have shaken Western unity.
“It’s obvious the White House has questioned the unity of the whole Western world,” he stated. “We see that it’s not just the axis of evil and Russia trying to revise the world order, but the U.S. is finally destroying this order.”
His comments follow Trump’s decision to freeze military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv while pushing for peace talks with Russia—without providing clear security guarantees for Ukraine.
Despite these diplomatic tensions, Zaluzhnyi emphasized that Ukraine remains independent, even when facing “animus and threats” from supposed allies.
He stressed the importance of securing firm security guarantees for Ukraine, warning that the country must not become a bargaining chip in international negotiations.
Meanwhile, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine on Thursday, pledging to increase defense spending to counter Russia’s ongoing offensive. However, Ukraine remains heavily reliant on U.S. military support, including intelligence, weapons, and financial aid.
Zaluzhnyi, who led Ukraine’s defense during the first two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion, remains highly popular among Ukrainians. Though he has not announced any political ambitions, he is widely seen as a potential challenger to Zelenskyy in future elections.
However, Ukraine’s elections remain on hold due to martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy replaced Zaluzhnyi as commander-in-chief last year following battlefield setbacks. Russian forces currently control approximately 20% of Ukraine and continue to make gradual advances in the east.
As Ukraine grapples with military challenges and diplomatic uncertainty, Zaluzhnyi’s pointed remarks highlight growing tensions within the country’s leadership and its strained alliance with Washington.
