Rumours can weaken Ukraine’s focus on victory, Zelenskyy tells MPs as scandals prompt dismissals
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo:Офіс президента)
Commenting on staff changes in the government in a speech to the Ukrainian parliament on Feb. 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said disinformation “can weaken Ukrainians’ work for victory" in the war started by Russia.
Zelenskyy thanked “those who abstain from spreading any rumours capable of weakening Ukrainians' focus on the main thing — the victory of Ukraine."
"Only while helping our state, only preventing our enemy from playing with feelings in our society, and only doing everything possible to provide our fighters with more weapons can we ensure the success of our state," the president said.
He said Ukraine was making staff and institutional changes at various levels in the state defence and security apparatus so as to make it stronger.
On Feb. 7, the Ukrainian parliament appointed Vasyl Malyuk as the head of the Security Service (SBU) and Ihor Klymenko as the new Interior Minister.
On Feb. 5, amid a food procurement scandal over overpriced contracts for the army supply, there was speculation in the media that Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov would be moved on to the position of the Minister of Strategic Industries (instead of Pavlo Riabikin), while his post would be taken over by chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov.
Commenting on the rumors, Reznikov said he would resign if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the relevant order.
The next day, the head of the ruling Servant of the People faction in the Ukrainian parliament, Davyd Arakhamia, said Reznikov would stay at his post.
On Feb. 7, amid rumours about his dismissal, Reznikov said he “thanked everyone for constructive criticism” and said he would continue his work on strengthening Ukrainian defences.
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