Ukrainian foreign minister to propose shared hero for National Pantheon during Warsaw visit

Following the Ukrainian parliament's approval of the law on the National Pantheon on July 1, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is expected to visit Warsaw with a compromise proposal aimed at easing tensions with Poland.

According to Polish outlet WP, Sybiha plans to propose including Marko Bezruchko in the National Pantheon. Bezruchko fought alongside Polish forces during the 1920 campaign to capture Kyiv and later helped defend the Polish city of Zamość against Soviet troops. Today, a square in Warsaw's Wola district and a roundabout in Wrocław bear his name.

Despite welcoming the proposal, Polish officials reportedly remain cautious. They fear the move may be a tactical gesture and say it offers no guarantee that President Volodymyr Zelensky will not take further steps that could reignite historical disputes or that controversial historical figures will not later be added to the Pantheon.

Diplomatic sources described Sybiha's initiative and the reference to Bezruchko as a positive signal but said it is unlikely on its own to significantly improve bilateral relations.

Responding to the report, Zelensky's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said that "Bezruchko is a good idea." He noted, however, that under the newly adopted law, nominations to the National Pantheon will be reviewed by a special collegial body, with each candidate requiring majority approval in the Verkhovna Rada before being included.

Russian offensive in Chernihiv Oblast is realistic, Ukraine's commander-in-chief

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russia could launch a new offensive toward Chernihiv Oblast from Bryansk Oblast in an attempt to stretch Ukrainian forces and open another front.

In an interview with TSN, Syrskyi said Russian leader Vladimir Putin had instructed the Russian General Staff to develop multiple offensive scenarios, including a possible operation from Belarusian territory aimed at capturing Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.

However, Syrskyi said he considers an attack from Belarus unlikely, arguing that Minsk is unlikely to allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for another invasion.

"Given recent events, I don't think the leadership of Belarus would dare to use its own territory and hand it over to the aggressor as a bridgehead."

Instead, Syrskyi said the more realistic threat is an offensive from Russia's Bryansk Oblast toward Chernihiv Oblast.

"The most likely scenario, which is confirmed by several pieces of evidence, is possible offensive action in the north from the territory of Bryansk Oblast in the Russian Federation. This is a realistic scenario and, of course, we are preparing for it."

According to Syrskyi, opening a new axis of attack would allow Russia to force Ukraine to redeploy troops from the eastern and southern fronts while further extending the front line.

Former commander-in-chief Zaluzhnyi is willing to run for president

Former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces and current Ambassador to the UK Valerii Zaluzhnyi told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he would run for president if elections were held this autumn, according to an article by Ukrainska Pravda citing sources familiar with the talks.

According to the report, Zaluzhnyi was summoned to Kyiv under the formal pretext of discussing political developments in the UK following preparations for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down and the potential impact on Ukrainian-British relations.

Sources said the conversation later shifted to the possibility of presidential elections.

According to the article, Zelensky argued that the military situation had recently improved and Ukrainian society remained relatively united, creating a potential window for holding elections. He said the main challenge would be avoiding a new internal political divide and preventing a direct confrontation between himself and Zaluzhnyi.

The report says Zelensky then asked the former commander-in-chief directly whether he would run if elections were held in the autumn.

"If elections are held in the autumn, will you stand?"

According to the sources, Zaluzhnyi replied:

"Yes. I will."

The article says Zelensky did not offer Zaluzhnyi an alternative future role, although sources in the government claimed the President's Office had been prepared to discuss senior state positions, including the post of prime minister.

According to the report, Zaluzhnyi said he had never sought a political career but felt unable to ignore the expectations of many Ukrainians who had placed their trust in him.

During his visit to Kyiv, Zaluzhnyi also reportedly met with Rustem Umierov and Davyd Arakhamiia. They reportedly warned that a presidential race between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi could deepen divisions in society and pose risks to the country.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Zaluzhnyi maintained his position throughout the meetings. The publication concluded that, following his departure from Kyiv, it became clear the President's Office's reported plans to organize presidential elections in the autumn had encountered a major obstacle.