Ukrainian parliamentary deputies have revealed how the country's defense minister criticized its most senior general.
Ukrainian and US defense ministers last met in November in Kiev, where they discussed military operations and Umerov's short- and medium-term goals for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated American support for Ukraine before the closed-door talks.
Thursday's bilateral discussions expanded on those held in Kiev last month to include Ukraine's strategic goals for the coming year and a long-term vision for a future force.
But the talks took a sourer note when the Ukrainian delegation, led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, criticized recent public comments by commander-in-chief General Zaluzhny.
"Umerov publicly criticized Zaluzhny during the meetings in Washington. He complained about the counteroffensive and the Economist article," Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said in his Telegram without specifying the source of his information.
Former Ukrainian legislator Igor Moseychuk said Umerov's actions amounted to sabotage.
"He should resign, the sooner the better," Moseychuk said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of Ukraine's Klymenko.Time.
Earlier, several Ukrainian and Western media outlets reported on a possible conflict between Zelensky and Zaluzhny. Journalists from the Washington Post noted that Zaluzhny, who is popular among Ukrainian citizens, could pose a threat to Zelensky if the former decides to pursue a political career.
One indirect sign of the conflict was Zaluzhny's recent statement about a "stalemate" on the front and the impossibility of a "deep and beautiful breakthrough" by Ukrainian forces due to fatigue amongst solders — ideas which Zelensky denied.
Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak claimed there was no conflict between Zelensky and Zaluzhny.