In brief
In July 2026, former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov refuses the alternative role offered by President Volodymyr Zelensky and demands to be reinstated. He argues that the defence ministry is the key to ending the war and that no other position can replicate his influence. His refusal has fueled protests across Ukraine, with supporters demanding his return and calling for a review of the president’s decision. While Zelensky replaced the commander‑in‑chief and offered Fedorov a deputy prime minister post, the minister’s stance suggests negotiations are at a stalemate. The clash reflects deeper tensions within Ukraine’s leadership over the direction of its military reforms and civilian‑military coordination.
23 July 2026 | Kyiv
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Fedorov Demands Reinstatement Amid Growing Protests
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has refused a replacement position offered by President Volodymyr Zelensky and insists he be restored to his former post, sparking protests across Ukraine.
In a statement to journalists last week, Fedorov said he "has a specific plan on how to end the war" that has guided defence policy since he took office in January. He identified three key positions that determine the direction of the conflict – the president, the defence minister and the commander‑in‑chief – and claimed that only the latter two can effectively influence the result of the war.
Zelensky initially offered Fedorov several roles, including deputy prime minister for military innovation, citing the need for "co‑ordination between the defence ministry and the president" to drive innovation. Fedorov rejected the offer, stating that his influence within a non‑defence role would be limited.
He also noted that he had not been seeking a “post or status”, but wanted the opportunity to directly shape Ukraine’s path to victory.
The move comes after the president sacked commander‑in‑chief Oleksandr Syrskyi later this week, replacing him with Mykhailo Drapatyi, and the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister. The change of leadership has been met with mixed reactions: many soldiers view Syrskyi as a conservative figure, while a segment of the public, led by Fedorov’s supporters, decry the decision as a setback to reform.
Fedorov’s refusal has incited street demonstrations across Kyiv, Kyiv’s surrounding towns and major Ukrainian cities. Protesters are demanding the minister’s return and accuse President Zelensky of undermining the success of the Ukrainian Army’s earlier innovations, such as the Army of Drones initiative and data‑driven logistics.
“For six months we have consistently implemented this very plan. For the first time in recent years, Ukraine has begun to seize the initiative on the battlefield,” the former minister’s tweet read. He added that failure to maintain his post “would force us to lose this unprecedented window of opportunity to force Russia into peace through strength”.
President Zelensky’s spokesman, Dmytro Lytvyn, said discussions are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to disclose details at this stage. The situation remains uncertain, with many observers suggesting Fedorov’s lack of influence outside the defence ministry will hamper the continuation of Ukraine’s decisive reforms.
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