Volodymyr Zelensky Names New Defence Minister After Weeks of Political Crisis
- On Sunday, August 16, thousands of demonstrators gathered at Kyiv's Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People to demand the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in mid-July.
- Protesters rallied after President Zelensky dismissed Fedorov, a popular official known for reforming drone capabilities, citing broader grievances including systemic corruption and non-transparent decision-making within government.
- Organizers titled the march "The Last Attempt to Reach the President" and aimed to "remind the president of the importance of dialogue between the authorities and society," said war veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a protest organizer.
- Although President Zelensky offered Fedorov a "prominent position in the government," the ex-minister rejected the alternative, insisting on returning only as defense minister while the Presidential Office has not responded to protesters' demands.
- On Tuesday, August 18, lawmakers will vote for a new head of the Ministry of Defense, as protesters await to see if President Zelensky will officially nominate acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara to the position.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Volodymyr Zelensky names new Defence minister after weeks of political crisis
President Volodymyr Zelensky nominated Yevheny Khmara for parliamentary approval to become Defence minister. Khmara served as acting minister following the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor, Mykhailo Fedorov, in June, which sparked public outrage and a week-long political crisis for Zelensky. Details by FRACE 24 correspondent in Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze.
Protests by Ukrainians against the authoritarian actions of President Zelensky and the ruling classes continue after more than a month. It is not just about the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov, which Zelensky has not yet satisfactorily explained.
After a month-long summer recess, the Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada) will reconvene on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. On July 16, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a government reshuffle that sparked a wave of protests due to the removal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Since then, the public has been demanding his reinstatement, but the anticipated appointments to the Defense and Foreign Affairs ministries do not appear to be on t…
Ukraine's parliament returns with ministry crises unresolved
Ukraine's parliament reconvenes on Tuesday with the defence and foreign ministries still without permanent heads, a month after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy abruptly dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister.
Undecided Fedorov: Why does former minister have to choose between Zelenskyy and street? // Uncensored. VIDEO
What will happen to Mykhailo Fedorov after his resignation from the Ministry of Defence? Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that he does not plan to bring the former minister back, while Fedorov himself does not want to join the hard-line opposition.
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