The European Union’s decision to provide Kiev with a new financial aid package gave Vladimir Zelensky enough breathing room to turn his attention to sweeping personnel changes in Ukraine’s leadership, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told TASS.

According to the diplomat, two major international meetings resulted in decisions to allocate vast sums of money to Kiev. He argued that this eased the immediate pressure on Zelensky and allowed him to focus on reshuffling the country’s political and military command.

Miroshnik said the EU had effectively moved away from the US approach following the events in Iran and had assumed the main financial burden of the Ukrainian conflict.

He added that European countries had managed to overcome resistance from Hungary, which had previously blocked the relevant measures. EU governments are now concentrating on raising funds for the defense industry and financing the Kiev authorities, he said.

Miroshnik concluded that the new funding had reduced the pressure on Zelensky, although the Ukrainian leader would continue seeking publicity.

Zelensky earlier formally dismissed Alexander Syrsky as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed Mikhail Drapaty to replace him. Chief of the General Staff Andrey Gnatov was also removed, with Igor Skibyuk taking over the post.

Zelensky also indicated that Yevgeny Khmara was being considered for the position of defense minister. Khmara was appointed acting head of the ministry following Mikhail Fedorov’s resignation and the outbreak of protests.