- Campaigners in Ukraine pledge to continue nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov gets his job back.
- Zelenskyy’s attempts to defuse anger by offering Fedorov a new government role failed; Fedorov turned down deputy prime minister post and demands reinstatement as defence minister to implement his modernisation plan.
- Protesters called for a rally on Friday evening outside Zelenskyy’s office; the crisis likely to roll into a second week.
- Dmytro Koziatynsky stated the protest's demand: “to return Mykhailo Fedorov to the position of minister of defence” and called for the government to satisfy all demands.
- A senior army source said Zelenskyy faces a dilemma: reversing the decision would be a “big victory for Fedorov” and humiliating, but failing to do so will keep protests going.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under escalating pressure to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov, who was ousted as defence minister last week after just six months. Campaigners have pledged to continue nationwide protests until Fedorov is reinstated, rejecting Zelenskyy's offer of a deputy prime minister role.123459
Fedorov argues that returning to his position is essential for implementing his ambitious plans to modernize and reform Ukraine's army. Protesters are organizing a rally outside Zelenskyy's presidential office, indicating that the political crisis may extend into a second week. Prominent veteran Dmytro Koziatynsky emphasized the need for the government to heed the demands of society, stating, “We must do everything possible to ensure that the government hears and satisfies all the demands of society.”678
A senior army source noted the dilemma facing Zelenskyy: “If he reverses his decision, this would be a big victory for Fedorov. It would be humiliating for the president and reveal him to be weak. But if he doesn’t, the protests will keep going.” The situation remains tense as the public's discontent grows, with the protests set to continue until Fedorov's reinstatement is achieved.
“Campaigners pledge to continue indefinite nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov is reinstated as defence minister, with a rally called for Friday evening. Fedorov has rejected a deputy prime minister role, insisting he needs the defence portfolio to implement his modernisation plan.”
The Guardian
