Ukraine’s ousted defense minister rejects Zelenskyy’s offer of a different government role
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s fired the defense minister He said on Thursday that he had rejected efforts by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to persuade him to rejoin the government in a different role where he could continue to fight More than 4 years of occupation by Russia.
Mykhailo Fedorov, who was fired last week after only six months in office, is a young and popular public figure due to his success in business. Modernization of the armed forces and giving Ukraine a wartime advantage through the innovative use of technology. He also tackled corruption in military procurement.
His departure triggered street protests across Ukraine that put pressure on Zelenskyy and applauded Moscow officials.
Fedorov said in a statement that heading the Defense Ministry was one of the three jobs, along with being head and chief of the armed forces, that “really shaped the course of the war.”
He said he “will not accept any post” other than defense minister, which would imply a defiant stance against Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s president said earlier Thursday that he had offered Fedorov the position of deputy prime minister for military innovations.
Fedorov said he wanted to complete his reforms at the Defense Ministry, which were cut short after his relationship with Soviet-educated commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was seen as part of the old military guard, soured.
“No other role has the real authority to combat procurement fraud, complete the transformation of the military, plan and execute asymmetric operations against the enemy, and root out the culture of lies and unaccountability within the system,” he said of his DoD role.
He said he took office last January with a plan to end the war by improving air defenses and standing firm on the front lines, damaging Russia’s economy with long-range strikes.
“Our joint results have created something unprecedented; a window of opportunity to force Russia into peace through force. And we cannot afford to lose that,” he said.
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