Zelenskyy appoints new defense minister, refuses to reinstate Fedorov

According to media reports, the successor for the dismissed Defense Minister has been determined. Protests are announced again for Friday.

Protest against the dismissal of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – but he will not return Photo: Sebastian Wells/Ostkreuz

By Barbara Oertel

A reinstatement of the dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appears to be off the table for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is according to the Ukrainian news agency RBK-Ukraine, citing a source from Fedorov's inner circle.

According to reports from Tuesday, Yevhen Khmara, previously head of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU, is to take over the post of Defense Minister, a position he has already held on an interim basis since Fedorov's dismissal.

"If they had wanted to bring Fedorov back on board, they would have made him an offer immediately. But as it is, it is clear that all the talk of a deputy prime minister and the like was merely intended to calm the street protests," RBK-Ukraine quotes its informant as saying.

Apparently, the agency continues, Zelenskyy's willingness to "make concessions" or "listen" to the Ukrainian people has its limits. After he fulfilled a demand of the protesters by dismissing the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, he will not comply with the other demand, namely to bring Fedorov back.

High Level of Competence

Over two weeks ago, as part of a comprehensive government reshuffle, Zelenskyy also dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The 35-year-old, who had only been in office since January, is popular with many Ukrainians. Above all, he is credited with a high level of military competence.

From July 16, thousands of people in the capital Kyiv and other cities took to the streets for days with slogans like "Shame" and "Give us back Fedorov" for the dismissed minister. After it became known that there had been massive disagreements between Fedorov and Syrskyi, calls for Syrskyi's dismissal also grew loud during the protests. Zelenskyy bowed to this demand. After that, the rallies became significantly smaller.

But apparently, not all Ukrainians are willing to give in – including Dmytro Kosiatynskyi, a veteran of the Ukrainian army and former medic. On social media, he called for continued support for Fedorov: The protesters still had not received an answer to their questions.

Zelenskyy must continue the dialogue with Fedorov, Kosiatynskyi wrote on his Facebook page, and announced another protest action for next Friday in Kyiv. Apparently, the dissatisfied want to change their tactics. Instead of gathering in a square, they plan to march through the Ukrainian capital.

According to a survey by the Rejting agency from July 20/21, in presidential elections, 13.4 percent of Ukrainians would be willing to vote for Fedorov if he were to run. Before the government reshuffle, this value was at 2 to 3 percent.

However, citing a source from Fedorov's circle, RBK-Ukraine reports that Fedorov has no intention of entering politics – although much depends on the further course of events: the protest situation, the situation at the front, and possible pressure exerted on him or his confidants.

taz is 100% owned by its readers and is therefore not only corporate-free but also freely accessible. We make all articles available free of charge, without a paywall. Especially in these times, analysis and information must be accessible to everyone. Our readers do not have to pay anything, but know that critical, independent journalism does not arise from nothing. We are very grateful for that. So that we can continue to do our journalism tomorrow, we need more support for taz zahl ich. Thanks to you, we now have...