Former defence minister Fedorov says dispute with Ukraine’s ex military chief Syrskyi was a clash of visions, not a personal feud

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that, during his time in office, the Ministry of Defence did not block a single decision by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or by then Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He also denied that his differences with Syrskyi were personal.

Source: Fedorov in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (English translation to be available soon)

Quote: "There was no personal conflict with the Commander-in-Chief [Oleksandr Syrskyi] in the usual sense. It was more a difference in vision of how the war should be fought. But that vision had also to be translated into concrete reforms, projects and operations.

I had presented this vision to the president, probably even before my appointment. I have been working on it since 2023, refining and updating it as the situation evolves. I later presented it to the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the General Staff. The conflict was therefore more institutional, centred on how this vision should be implemented. There was also a cultural element to it. Young leaders need to be trusted with more freedom, decisions need to move faster and the reforms that have already started need to be seen through."

Details: Fedorov said that while he headed the Ministry of Defence, it did not block a single decision by the General Staff or the Commander-in-Chief.

Quote: "Because the army is fighting 24/7 and must be as effective as possible, even when I disagree with some decisions."

More details: Fedorov also stressed that he had made no ultimatums about retaining his post.

He said that after the press briefing and amid the protests, he was offered a number of "posts", but was against taking on decorative roles.

Quote: "I simply said that I had a certain vision of what to do next. Wherever I am, I will follow this vision, but I will not take on a decorative post. I see myself as a manager who knows how to build a system and achieve results. And when I do not see results, I find that profoundly demotivating.

So there was no ultimatum in this situation. I was offered positions, and I said: no, thank you, I will work in a different field. But if I am needed to implement the vision of the war, then as defence minister I can continue this work and achieve the result I declared."

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