Valery Zaluzhny is Ukraine's former commander-in-chief, sacked by President Volodymyr Zelensky, and subsequently appointed ambassador to London.
He was Zelensky's nearest likely rival in internal polling as of late 2025. Zelensky would lead him in a first round of a presidential election but might lose in the second. On February 18th 2026 Zaluzhny spoke publicly for the first time about the disagreements that led to his dismissal in 2024.
On the question of a ceasefire, Zaluzhny has said that what matters "is not just where the line is, but what is behind that line and what is in people's heads"—arguing that the perception of success or failure depends less on territory than on the ability to prevent further attack and on the stability of internal politics.
The meek shall inherit the earth; but by that time there won't be anything left worth inheriting.