Ex-defence minister Fedorov: Zelenskyy told me he wanted Klymenko to replace me just before faction meeting
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed him of his intention to appoint Ihor Klymenko as the new defence minister about half an hour before a Servant of the People parliamentary faction meeting.
Source: Fedorov in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (English translation coming soon)
Quote: "Half an hour or an hour before the faction meeting, I was informed that Klymenko's candidacy would be put forward."
Details: Asked whether it was President Zelenskyy himself who informed him of the planned change of defence minister, Fedorov replied that it was. According to Fedorov, the president said the reason for his dismissal was the conflict with the General Staff.
"I don't want to recount my conversation with the president – those are private conversations. I have nothing more to add," Fedorov said.
The former minister said he believes his dismissal may also have been linked to resistance to reforms within the Ministry of Defence, particularly changes to the defence procurement system.
Background:
- Since 16 July, protests have been taking place in Kyiv and other cities to demand Mykhailo Fedorov's reinstatement as defence minister.
- Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and former commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had been unable to work together and that problems on the battlefield, within brigades and with mobilisation remained unresolved.
- After six days of protests, Zelenskyy announced Syrskyi's dismissal as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and said he intended to appoint Mykhailo Drapatyi as his successor.
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