Fedorov explained why he turned down Zelenskyy's offers

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov turned down alternative positions offered by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including an expanded role on the National Security and Defense Council with a mandate to oversee defense innovation.

In his statement, he emphasized that only the position of head of the Ministry of Defense provides the necessary real authority to combat corruption in procurement, fight bureaucracy, and complete systemic reforms in the military.

“None of the other positions has the real authority to combat corruption in procurement, complete the ongoing transformation of the army, plan and carry out asymmetric actions and operations against the enemy, eradicate the culture of lies and irresponsibility within the system, and complete other initiatives that our team has already launched at the Ministry of Defense,” his statement to journalists reads.

 Fedorov recalled that his team took the helm of the ministry in January 2026 with the AIR–LAND–ECONOMY strategy and is committed to seeing all initiated reforms and defense projects through to completion.

Source: Telegram channel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Most Ukrainians opposed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov from the post of defense minister. 

The resignation of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi was supported by 55% of Ukrainians surveyed, according to the results of a poll conducted by the “Rating” sociological group on July 20–21, 2026.

Valeriy Zaluzhny has the highest level of trust among officials, politicians, and public figures—70%. Mykhailo Fedorov is trusted by 65% of those surveyed, Kyrylo Budanov by 62%, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy by 59%. Oleksandr Usyk is trusted by 54% of respondents, Oleksandr Syrskyi by 23%, and Petro Poroshenko by 21%.