Gen Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former army chief, has been appointed as the country’s next ambassador to the UK..

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, approved his candidacy on Thursday, according to his foreign affairs ministry.

Gen Zaluzhny was removed from his role as commander-in-chief last month in a major military leadership shake-up.

It was reported that he was at loggerheads with Mr Zelensky over comments that described the war with Russia as a “stalemate” after Kyiv’s summer counter-offensive failed to achieve the desired results.

The president’s initial attempt to remove the general failed after he promised him another high-profile role in the Ukrainian government.

Gen Zaluzhny replaces Vadym Prystaiko, who was sacked after publicly rebuking Mr Zelensky for comments he made about Ben Wallace.

In July last year, Mr Prystaiko accused the president of displaying “unhealthy sarcasm” towards the former defence secretary, who suggested Kyiv should stop treating its allies like “Amazon” and show gratitude for arms deliveries.

“On Thursday, March 7, 2024, the President of Ukraine agreed on the candidacy of Valeriy Zaluzhny for the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” Ukraine’s foreign affairs ministry wrote in a statement.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sent a corresponding request to the British side for the agreement.”