Andriy Yermak met with Syrskyi following Fedorov’s resignation
This has been reported by *Ukrainska Pravda*, citing sources within the military and law enforcement agencies. According to the publication, Yermak visited Syrskyi’s command post on the evening of 16 July.
The content of the conversation and Yermak’s role in the meeting have not yet been disclosed. Journalists sought comment from the former head of the President’s Office and sent an official enquiry to Syrskyi, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
The conflict between Fedorov and Syrskyi has become public
On the same day, Fedorov stated that he had proposed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine be replaced, but the head of state did not support this proposal.
According to the former minister, the Ministry of Defence’s initiatives regarding changes within the armed forces had met with resistance. Fedorov also claimed that, following Zelenskyy’s decision to keep Syrskyi in his post as Commander-in-Chief, he had issued an ultimatum to the president.
In response, Syrskyi did not directly comment on the allegations that he was blocking reforms. He urged Fedorov to remain part of Ukraine’s team and continue working for the good of the state.
Zelenskyy acknowledged problems in the interaction between leaders
The President confirmed that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to see eye to eye. According to Zelenskyy, the disagreements between the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine were accompanied by unresolved problems on the battlefield, within the brigades and in the mobilisation system.
According to sources at ‘Ukrainska Pravda’, it was precisely the protracted conflict between the minister and the Commander-in-Chief that became one of the main reasons why Zelenskyy decided not to retain Fedorov as head of the Ministry of Defence in the new government.
Following Fedorov’s resignation, the president appointed Yevhen Khmara, who currently serves as acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), to temporarily lead the Ministry of Defence. Zelenskyy also stated that he would propose to parliament that Khmara be appointed Minister of Defence.
Follow us on Telegram.
