Zelenskyy of Ukraine appoints new top military official before Trump-Putin conversation

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a decision to replace the top official in the military just before a scheduled call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. 

Andrii Hnatov, a seasoned military professional with over 27 years of experience as cited by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, has been selected as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces. Anatoliy Barhylevych, who previously held this position starting from February 2024, will now assume the role of general inspector at Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. 

“Our objective is to continuously enhance the effectiveness of the Armed Forces. To achieve this, we are revamping the management structure and enforcing transparent guidelines,” Umerov emphasized in a released statement. 

“Grateful to Lieutenant General Anatoliy Barhylevych for his service as Chief of the General Staff. In the most difficult times, his experience and professionalism were important to the organization of defense of Ukraine,” Umerov added. “Changes are in process. Strengthening the army for victory.” 

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoliy Barhylevych is seen on Nov. 18, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. He will now serve as the general inspector of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

“Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW,” Trump wrote. “I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.” 

In preparation for the Trump-Putin call, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met last week with Putin in Moscow to discuss the proposal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio persuaded senior Ukrainian officials during talks in Saudi Arabia to agree to the ceasefire framework. 

Trump said Washington and Moscow have already begun discussing “dividing up certain assets” between Ukraine and Russia as part of a deal to end the conflict. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the personnel change ahead of a phone call between President Donald Trump and Russina President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. (Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

“It’s a bad situation in Russia, and it’s a bad situation in Ukraine,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “What’s happening in Ukraine is not good, but we’re going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace. And I think we’ll be able to do it.” 

Fox News’ Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.