Fedorov: will only accept previous ministerial post, not interested in substitutes
Protesters demanding Fedorov's reinstatement (Photo: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
Recently dismissed defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov will
not accept any government appointment from President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy except that of minister of defense, Fedorov’s press
service told NV on July 23.
Fedorov said he was grateful to Zelenskyy for the offers but suggested that only three postings in Ukraine can tangibly influence the course of the war: the president, the commander in chief, and the defense minister.
"That is why I will not accept any other position except that of minister of defense," Fedorov said.
"No other post has the real authority to fight corruption in procurement, complete the army reforms we started, plan and carry out asymmetric actions and operations against the enemy, root out a culture of lying and irresponsibility inside the system, and finish the other reforms our team began at the Defense Ministry."
He added that he has never been focused on rank or title, and that what matters to him is the ability to have a real impact on the outcome and bring Ukraine closer to victory.
Fedorov said he and his team arrived at the Defense Ministry in January 2026 with a concrete plan to end the war, focused on air defense, stabilizing the front, and choking the Russian economy. He said the ministry steadily pursued that plan for six months, and Ukraine for the first time in years began to seize the initiative.
"Our joint results created what did not exist before — a window of opportunity to force Russia to make peace by force. And it cannot be lost," he said.
Earlier on July 23, Zelenskyy said he had offered Fedorov several posts, including that of deputy PM for military innovation.
On July 20, the Financial Times reported, citing
informed sources, that Fedorov turned down a position on the National Security
and Defense Council.
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