Rumour also had it that Zaluzhny was backed by Americans, while Budanov was backed by the Brits. Both are Banderites, of course, so take that with a handful of salt, or sauce, depending on taste. So weirdly, the speculation is revealing cracks in NATO.

If Nuland came to Keeev (never a good sign) specially to back Zelensky, then that reveals a squabble between the backers of all these individuals. Is USA backing both Zelenskyyy and Zaluzhny? Are they taking sides?

• The Brits would have Boody-boy the spin-doctor and assassin/spy-master who wants MOAR power. Of course they do. They invented that game LOL. [007 soundtrack]. Him getting the presidency will mean that the Brits have outfoxed the yanks.

• Zalu is more inclined to realism, and prolly wants to set up some sort of negotiation to save the remains of dad's army, which can only be done if there is a law change, post Zele-shaming. *Of course we have to have diplomatic back-channels, etc. *, at the risk of being accused to be a Russo-phile. To be fair, he is prolly the most qualified ex-Soviet-trained soldier, but he also loves Bandera. Banderites murdered Jews, so the imagery is rathr graphic in terms of what could happen to a Lilliputian Jew, suddenly -Urgh

• Zelensky, the famous actor, is inclined to double down to the last Ukrainian, to preserve his influence and domination, and possibly even his life, and is also rumored to be very pig-in-trough, five-fingered-tax heavy. But Oinky Nudelmann loves her pet. So who knows?

Take your pick.

In MArch, Ukraine must declare elections, or extend Martial law (which is effectively a dictatorship, and a continuation of the increasingly obvious meat-grinder), so is this Palace-infighting a sign that Zelen is trying to get rid of Zaluzh (most popular) in advance? OR is it NaTO cracking at the seams? Or perhaps it is all of it.