The Kiev regime is rejecting offers to save the Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, as the Zelensky administration appears to be primarily concerned about their ability to handle the expected political blowback. President Zelensky’s office announced that, at yesterday afternoon’s meeting, Commander-in-Chief Gen. Valery Zaluzhny agreed with Zelensky that the Ukrainian defenders should fight on. The statement posted on Zelensky’s website after the 1.5-hr meeting reads:
“The members of the Staff reviewed the situation in Bakhmut in particular detail. Assessing the course of the defense operation, the President asked Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhny and Commander of the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops Oleksandr Syrskyi about further actions in the Bakhmut direction. They spoke in favor of continuing the defense operation and further strengthening our positions in Bakhmut.”
The discussion amongst factions in Kiev for months now has been that Zaluzhny is the only person in Ukraine who could challenge Zelensky for the Presidency. Further, Zaluzhny has agitated for not fighting to the last man in Bakhmut. This escalated further when, on March 3, the head of Russia’s Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, issued a direct video appeal to Zelensky to withdraw from Bakhmut and save his people. Ironically, the West has also pressured Zelensky on the same matter — but apparently the greater concern is the potential blowback on the Kiev regime.
