Fedorov still hopes to return as defense minister

Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed as defense minister in mid-July, has said he still hopes to return to the post. Speaking on Serhii Sternenko's YouTube channel on August 6, he explained that he currently has no moral right to engage in anything else, as people are fighting for tomorrow and his name is being mentioned. With no clear "no" given, he believes there is always a chance.

Fedorov stressed that Ukraine currently has no defense minister, only an acting minister who cannot vote on government decisions. He described this as a temporary situation that cannot last long, emphasizing the importance of setting a deadline for the process. He called it irresponsible to leave the country without a defense minister even after the Verkhovna Rada recess ends on August 18, as parliament will then have the opportunity to appoint a minister.

Asked what he would do if he were not reinstated, Fedorov said he would wait until those dates pass and then discuss his path in more detail. He mentioned having options B, C, D, and so on. He stressed the importance of working toward victory and implementing the plan they discussed, noting that there are not hundreds of teams with people who understand the war and are ready to serve the country 24/7. Regardless, he said, they will find a format to serve the country.

Fedorov also said he had handed acting Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara his action plan for the position. When asked whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been in touch recently, Fedorov replied that they have had some communication.

Background: At the end of July, Fedorov stated in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda that he was ready to return to the Ministry of Defense. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada approved Yuliia Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister, which entailed the resignation of the entire government. A new cabinet was subsequently approved without defense or foreign ministers. On July 17, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Yevhenii Khmara acting defense minister on a temporary basis. Since July 16, protests have been taking place in Kyiv and other cities demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and the dismissal of then commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. On July 21, the president announced that Mykhailo Drapatyi would be the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.