NATO says replacement of Ukraine's top military chief will not affect support for Kyiv

Iryna Kutielieva, Anastasia Prots - 22 July, 19:33

Photo: Getty Images

NATO has said that no changes in military cooperation with Ukraine are expected after Mykhailo Drapatyi's appointment as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces and that support for Kyiv remains unchanged.

Source: European Pravda, citing Giovanni Galoforo, public affairs and strategic communications adviser to the chair of the NATO Military Committee, in a comment to Ukraine's national public broadcaster Suspilne

Details: Commenting on the appointment of a new commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, the NATO representative said no changes in military-to-military cooperation are expected.

Galoforo said no changes in military-to-military cooperation are expected, as rotations in senior posts happen regularly and the Alliance's support strategy remains clear and unwavering.

He said he has not yet met Drapatyi in person, but added that he expects such a meeting to take place.

Background:

On the evening of 21 July, following six days of protests, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his decision to dismiss Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appoint Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him.
On 22 July, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed him to continue and intensify offensive operations and further strengthen the capabilities of Ukraine's Armed Forces.
The same day, Zelenskyy signed decrees appointing a new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a new chief of the General Staff.

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