The dismissal of Oleksi Danilov, secretary of the National Defense and Security Council of Ukraine (RNBO), on Tuesday, March 26, was not preceded by rumors, as is often the case during reshuffles decided by the Ukrainian president. The decree signed by Volodymyr Zelensky was immediately followed by the announcement of his replacement by master spy Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who was previously the director of the foreign intelligence service.
The main role of the RNBO, which reports directly to the Ukrainian president, is to coordinate national security structure and foreign policy. On a more informal level, this council also acts as an interface between security organizations and Ukrainian civil society on strategic issues.
Danilov, 61, who is very much a part of the public debate, is not considered a decision-maker. He reacted soberly to the presidential decision with a post on his Facebook page thanking Zelensky for his trust. "The main thing is... not to be afraid, never and anyone, go forward and believe in Ukraine, believe in the people of Ukraine!" said Danilov, who served as secretary for four years. He did not say anything about his future but an opposition MP, Oleksiy Goncharenko, believes Danilov will be appointed ambassador to Norway.
Perhaps due to his seemingly unshakeable position, Danilov embodied the role of the uncompromising hawk, aided by his austere face and piercing gaze. Over the past week, he made several highly undiplomatic remarks aimed at China and the United States. On state television on March 19, he lashed out at Beijing's special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, and bluntly told him that "Ukraine will not allow itself to be dictated or have its sovereignty over its territory taken away." The RNBO secretary emphatically repeated the diplomat's first name (not broadcasted), pronounced "khouï," a highly offensive term in Ukrainian.
Three days later, on March 22, he addressed Ukraine's main military ally in a scarcely kinder tone, reacting to an article in the Financial Times claiming that Washington asked Kyiv to halt its strikes against Russian oil refineries, which would risk causing a rise in world prices. "Ukraine will continue to destroy Russian targets wherever it sees fit, and without asking anyone's permission," said Danilov at the 16th Kyiv Security Forum.
Danilov's dismissal is undoubtedly linked to this unpleasant stance toward two great powers capable of influencing Ukraine's destiny. "According to my information, Beijing's reaction to Danilov's remarks was extremely negative," said political scientist Volodymyr Fessenko, director of the Penta Center for Political Studies. "The Chinese felt insulted and this may lead to negative consequences for Ukrainian diplomacy, at a time when [Volodymyr] Zelensky is trying to negotiate directly with [Chinese president] Xi Jinping to hold a global summit. I think this is what prompted Danilov's departure," said the expert.
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