The popular general, who led Ukraine's defence in the first
two years of Moscow's full-scale invasion, spoke as President Volodymyr
Zelenskiy sought to mend fences with Washington after a fiery White
House row with President Donald Trump.
Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine had held onto its independence
despite "animus and threats coming even from friends".
His sharp remarks, made at London's Chatham House think
tank, came after Trump froze military aid and intelligence-sharing
with Kyiv in moves to push Zelenskiy into peace talks with Russia, while
refusing to offer Kyiv security guarantees.
"It's obvious the White House has questioned the unity
of the whole Western world," Zaluzhnyi said, "Because we see that
it's not just the axis of evil and Russia trying to revise the world order, but
the US is finally destroying this order."
European leaders on Thursday said they would stand by
Ukraine - and boost defence spending - to enable them to stand up to
Russia. But the US has been a key backer, and its intelligence, equipment and
financial support have been crucial for Kyiv.
Zaluzhnyi
is broadly popular in Ukraine and is seen as a potential challenger to
Zelenskiy when Ukraine holds elections, although he has voiced no clear
ambitions to run for office.
Elections are currently prohibited by the declaration of
martial law after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskiy replaced Zaluzhnyi as army chief last year
following battlefield setbacks. Russian forces now hold about 20% of Ukraine
and have been gradually advancing in the country's east.
Zaluzhnyi added that Ukraine should receive security
guarantees and "should avoid the role of bargaining chip in any
negotiations".
