Zelenskyy offers Fedorov a 'worthy leadership position'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has offered former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov a new leadership role to combine the country's technological capabilities, following six days of protests demanding Fedorov's reinstatement.
In his address on 21 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he met with former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and offered him a "worthy leadership position". Zelenskyy stated that this role would allow Fedorov to unite the country's technological capabilities and ensure their continued development.
Zelenskyy also highlighted that acting Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara, who previously led the Special Group Alpha of the Security Service of Ukraine, has proven his security expertise through combat achievements, technological advances, and deep-strike operations. This experience, he said, is needed in government.
The president acknowledged that Fedorov and dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had failed to find common ground, leaving unresolved problems on the battlefield, within brigades, and regarding mobilisation. Following six days of protests in Kyiv and other cities (16–21 July), where demonstrators demanded Fedorov's reinstatement as defence minister and Syrskyi's dismissal, Zelenskyy announced Syrskyi's removal and the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander-in-chief. On 20 July, Syrskyi apologised to Fedorov, saying he had not realised there was a conflict between them.
Zelenskyy said the decisions would be formalised on 22 July and that Ukraine must emerge stronger from the situation.
