Fedorov turned down the posts offered by Zelenskyy
This is reported by *Ukrainska Pravda*, citing sources in political and military circles.
What posts were offered to Fedorov?
According to the publication, during a conversation with Zelenskyy, Fedorov was offered several options for future roles in government outside the Ministry of Defence.
One of the proposals was reportedly the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Technological Development. This would have involved coordinating the state’s technological initiatives, but would not have given Fedorov the authority to directly reform the Defence Forces.
Sources speaking to UP claim that the former minister did not support this option. According to them, Fedorov does not understand why he was not kept at the helm of the Ministry of Defence, and believes that his strategy for countering Russia cannot be implemented without the ministry’s actual powers.
Why Fedorov wants to return to the Ministry of Defence
According to a source close to UP in military circles, Fedorov pointed to the change in the leadership of the Armed Forces. The President has already appointed Mykhailo Drapaty as the next Commander-in-Chief to replace Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The Ministry of Defence’s former team, the source told the publication, could immediately begin working alongside Drapaty on the transformation of the Defence Forces.
The new head of the ministry, however, will need time to form his own team, familiarise himself with the processes and prepare decisions.
The UP source also believes that, following the decision to replace Syrskyi, the reason Zelenskyy had previously given for his reluctance to reappoint Fedorov as defence minister has now disappeared. This refers to the strained working relationship between the former minister and the Commander-in-Chief.
What is officially known
Zelenskyy confirmed that on 21 July he met with Fedorov and offered him another government post.
The President’s statement indicated that this post would be intended to bring together the state’s technological sectors and ensure their further development. The Head of State did not specify the exact title of the post.
Fedorov himself has not publicly stated that he turned down Zelenskyy’s offers, nor has he explained his conditions for returning to government. Information regarding the post of deputy prime minister and the course of the negotiations is based on anonymous sources cited by UP.
What led up to this
Between 16 and 21 July, protests took place in Kyiv and other cities demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement at the Ministry of Defence and the dismissal of Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy had previously acknowledged that problems had arisen in the coordination between the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The President also spoke of unresolved issues on the front line, within the brigades and in the mobilisation system.
On the evening of 21 July, Zelenskyy announced that Mykhailo Drapatiy would become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The President announced that the personnel decisions would be formalised on 22 July.
Follow us on Telegram.
