Zelenskyy offered Fedorov a new position in the government
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has offered former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov a new position in the government. According to the head of state, the role will focus on developing Ukraine’s technological sector and implementing modern solutions in public administration.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov a new position in the Cabinet of Ministers. The head of state announced this during his evening address. According to the president, Fedorov’s new role will be focused on advancing the country’s technological sector. Zelenskyy has not yet disclosed details about the future position or its responsibilities. “I have offered Mykhailo Fedorov a new position in the government related to the development of the country’s technology sector,” the president said.
This announcement came amid a major government reshuffle that Zelenskyy had announced back on July 12. At that time, the president announced upcoming personnel changes in the Cabinet of Ministers and among law enforcement leaders. According to him, the decision is part of Ukraine’s new political strategy.
As part of these changes, then-Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko was offered a new role related to relations with one of Ukraine’s key international partners. Later, sources in the Office of the President told Suspilne that her resignation was explained by the need to appoint a new Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. At the same time, it later became known that Svyrydenko had not yet agreed to head the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.
On July 13, she submitted her resignation, and the very next day, the Verkhovna Rada endorsed this decision. Following this, the entire Svyrydenko cabinet continued to serve in an acting capacity until the appointment of a new Cabinet of Ministers. On July 15, following a meeting with the president, members of parliament from the “Servant of the People” faction reported that Zelenskyy planned to offer the position of defense minister to Ihor Klymenko, who had previously headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
That same day, Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that he was stepping down as defense minister. This was followed by peaceful protests in Kyiv and a number of other Ukrainian cities. The protesters demanded that the personnel decision be reconsidered and took to the streets with signs and slogans reading “Bring Fedorov Back.”
On July 16, the president also announced that he had instructed Yevhen Khmara, acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), to serve as acting Minister of Defense of Ukraine until further personnel decisions are made.
It is currently unknown whether Mykhailo Fedorov has accepted the president’s offer. It has also not yet been reported when exactly he might assume his new position or what specific areas of responsibility will fall under his purview. It is expected that more details regarding the new composition of the government and the distribution of powers will be revealed once the Cabinet of Ministers’ reshuffle is complete. He announced this in an evening address.
Protests have continued for the sixth consecutive day in several Ukrainian cities following Mykhailo Fedorov’s resignation as defense minister. Protesters are demanding a review of the government’s personnel decisions, the reinstatement of Fedorov, and are expressing dissatisfaction with the actions of the military leadership.
On Tuesday, July 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. This was reported by the President’s communications adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn. He also told reporters that the President is still holding meetings.
Earlier, Dmytro Lytvyn, the President of Ukraine’s communications adviser, announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was holding a series of meetings, the results of which and the corresponding decisions would be made public immediately after the conclusion of the last and most important of them.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly considering replacing Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing a senior official in the Office of the President whose name has not been disclosed.
In Kyiv and across Ukraine’s regions, citizens have once again taken to the streets in peaceful protests over the decision not to renominate Mykhailo Fedorov for the position.
