Protest in support of ex-defence minister Fedorov continues for second day in Kyiv

A protest against the dismissal of former minister of defence Mykhailo Fedorov has continued for a second consecutive day in central Kyiv.

Source: Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Residents have again gathered at Franko Square, near the Office of the President.

People are holding cardboard signs and chanting "MPs, get to work!", "Fedorov is Minister of Defence!", "Syrskyi must resign!"

The protest in the capital on 16 July lasted until late in the evening.

Read also: Lies, isolation, blocking: Fedorov names 11 major problems he found in Defence Ministry

Previously:

• On 16 July, protests in support of acting Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov took place near the President's Office in Kyiv and in a number of Ukrainian cities. The protesters called on the authorities to reinstate Fedorov in the new government and not to hand the defence minister position over to Ihor Klymenko.
• Commenting on the upcoming changes at the Defence Ministry, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi were unable to work together effectively and that problems on the battlefield, in military brigades and with mobilisation remain unresolved.
• Zelenskyy said it was right that Ukrainian citizens are able to take part in peaceful demonstrations and express their views even during wartime, adding that he had "not yet made a final decision" on the issue they had raised.
• Later that evening, however, Zelenskyy said he would propose the appointment of Yevhen Khmara as defence minister to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). Khmara, who is currently the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, will now carry out the duties of Ukraine's defence minister on the president's instruction.

Background:

• On 14 July, the Verkhovna Rada approved Yuliia Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister, a decision which entails the resignation of the entire government.
• On 16 July, the Ukrainian parliament appointed a new Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government), led by Serhii Koretskyi. The parliament is expected to appoint the foreign and defence ministers separately at a later date.

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