Zelenskyy Announces Candidate for Defense Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to nominate Ihor Klymenko, the current Interior Minister, for the post of Defense Minister, according to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing lawmakers who met with Zelenskyy on Wednesday.

At the meeting, Zelenskyy also met with outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Western media report that Fedorov failed to establish cooperation with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. In a social media post on Wednesday evening, Fedorov confirmed he would step down from the position he has held since January.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, during a meeting of the Servant of the People party faction, Zelenskyy stated that Fedorov has a systemic conflict with Syrskyi and the army that cannot be resolved. The president reportedly said it would be desirable to dismiss both Fedorov and Syrskyi, but he cannot do so at this time.

Earlier, the parliament voted to dismiss Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, which automatically dissolved the entire cabinet. A total of 258 lawmakers voted in favor, with one against. Svyrydenko had led the government for nearly a year, having been approved in July of the previous year.

Zelenskyy had previously announced the need for a change in political strategy and personnel reshuffles. On Wednesday, he told journalists that he considers Serhiy Koretskyi, head of the state oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy, the most suitable candidate for prime minister. The current government will continue to perform its duties until a new one is approved.