Breaking: Zelensky Formally Nominates Acting Defense Chief Khmara as Minister, Ending Month of Uncertainty
Lawmakers are weighing an active-duty major general for defense minister as protests continue over Mykhailo Fedorov’s removal, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Aug. 18, President Volodymyr Zelensky had not yet submitted nominations for defense and foreign ministers to the Verkhovna Rada, despite an expected parliamentary vote scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19.
- Demonstrators gathered outside the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, chanting "Shame!" to protest the July dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who publicly criticized his removal as unjustified.
- General Yevheniy Khmara currently serves as acting defense minister, though his potential formal nomination faces constitutional hurdles because Ukrainian law requires the position be held by a civilian.
- The Conciliation Council announced that candidates would meet with legislative party members on Tuesday, followed by a scheduled parliamentary vote on both appointments Wednesday.
- While Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha is expected to be nominated, uncertainty remains regarding whether President Zelensky will formally submit candidates or if the parliamentary session will proceed as scheduled.
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The decision has attracted particular attention after the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov during a chaotic government reshuffle sparked nationwide protests.
Poroshenko urges Rada to pass shelter law, notes absence of nominations for foreign, defense ministers
Ukrainian MP Petro Poroshenko, leader of the European Solidarity party, said in a speech in the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday that the country has gone a month without full-fledged defense and foreign affairs ministers, and criticized lawmakers' extended vacations.
Breaking: Zelensky formally nominates acting defense chief Khmara as minister, ending month of uncertainty
The parliament went into recess in mid-July shortly after Zelensky announced an unexpected government reshuffle, with the ousting of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov triggering mass protests across the country.
No nominations for ministers from the President yet - MPPeople's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported that the President's nomination for the appointment of ministers is still missing from the Verkhovna Rada. The leadership of the parliament does not have details from the President on this issue.
On August 18, the Verkhovna Rada will not consider the appointment of the heads of the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Ministry. Presidential nominations not yet submitted 17 August 2026
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