Zelenskyy discusses Ukraine’s defence strategy, peace efforts with partners Updated

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Commander of the Third Army Corps Andrii Biletskyi to discuss the situation on the front and Ukraine’s military strategy, amid media speculation about a possible change in the country’s top military leadership.

“A meeting with Andrii Biletskyi. As always, his briefing on the situation in the sector was thorough. I also value his broader assessment of Ukraine's prospects on the front and our action strategy. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that Zelenskyy could decide to dismiss Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. However, Ukraine’s General Staff said Syrskyi continues to perform his duties and rejected reports of his dismissal as untrue.

The reports have also identified Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Mykhailo Drapaty and Biletskyi as potential candidates to replace Syrskyi if he is dismissed.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was accelerating defence supply arrangements and discussing its military strategy with international partners.

“We are discussing Ukraine's defense strategy and the details of our engagement with partners. We are accelerating the implementation of supply arrangements. A substantive meeting with Volodymyr Horbatiuk. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

We are discussing Ukraine's defense strategy and the details of our engagement with partners. We are accelerating the implementation of supply arrangements. A substantive meeting with Volodymyr Horbatiuk. Glory to Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/hz8sk425Gk

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 20, 2026

Earlier, Zelenskyy met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States. He thanked Gallagher and Pope Leo XIV for their support for Ukraine and said the Vatican’s delegation had been in Kyiv during a major Russian attack.

"The Holy See’s delegation was in Kyiv right during Russia’s massive attack on our people. Russia does not want to stop these attacks, which is why it is so important to keep working for peace. One format that could help make this possible is a meeting at the leaders’ level. I thank the Vatican for its readiness to host such a meeting and to continue making every effort to help make it happen," he wrote on X.

I am grateful to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and to Pope Leo XIV for their support for Ukraine.

The Holy See’s delegation was in Kyiv right during Russia’s massive attack on our people. Russia does not want to stop these… pic.twitter.com/mqCPCYP1LY

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 20, 2026

By Sabina Mammadli