Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on a statement by former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who called for the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov.
According to UNIAN, Zelensky indicated that the decision to remove Fedorov as defense minister was connected to his public conflict with Syrskyi. The dismissal came as part of the resignation of the entire government headed by Yuliya Svyrydenko.
“During a war, the president should not have to choose in such a situation. Once again: I very much wanted unity. The sides did not find it,” Zelensky told reporters at a joint press conference in Kyiv with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Zelensky said Fedorov would remain on his team. He added that they would discuss later what form that role would take.
On July 12, Zelensky announced the resignation of Prime Minister Svyrydenko, which meant the departure of the entire cabinet. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada approved the government’s resignation. The following day, it became known that Fedorov would not be reappointed as defense minister and would not join the new cabinet.
According to unofficial reports, the post of defense minister was offered to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, but he declined. The composition of the new government, headed by former Naftogaz and Ukrnafta chief Serhiy Koretskyi, has already been submitted to parliament, but as of publication Zelensky had not announced candidates for defense minister or foreign minister.
On July 16, rallies in support of Fedorov began in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, the former minister said Syrskyi had insisted on his dismissal and argued that the commander-in-chief himself should resign.