Volodymyr Zelenskyy Rejects Calls to Reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov Amid Growing Ukrainian Protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to restore Mykhailo Fedorov to the post of defence minister, despite sustained demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities demanding his return. The protests began after Zelenskyy dismissed Fedorov following a government reshuffle and also removed army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, appointing Major‑General Mikhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of the armed forces. Protesters view the ouster of Syrskyi as a concession but insist that reinstating Fedorov is a core demand. Zelenskyy instead named Yevhen Hmara, a former special‑units commander, to head the defence ministry.

While domestic unrest intensifies, Zelenskyy continues to secure strong diplomatic and financial backing abroad. He met with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Portsmouth, reaffirming Britain’s support, and held talks in Washington, D.C., with US officials, underscoring ongoing Western aid and sanctions against Russia.