Zelenskyy: Fedorov suggested that I dismiss both him and Syrskyi
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that amid the conflict between then defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Fedorov suggested dismissing them both.
Source: Zelenskyy at a press briefing, as reported by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne
Details: According to Zelenskyy, a "very serious" conflict arose between Fedorov and Syrskyi over the division of responsibilities between the Ministry of Defence and the military command.
Zelenskyy said the defence minister and commander-in-chief effectively stopped communicating directly and only discussed issues during meetings in his office.
Quote: "There can't be a conflict at this level between leaders. Whatever operation is taking place on the battlefield, that's primarily a matter for the military. Logistics and support are a matter for Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. If someone steps into someone else's area of responsibility, that will inevitably lead to conflict. And a conflict did arise – a very serious one."
Details: Zelenskyy said that during one meeting, Fedorov suggested "honestly dismissing both of them".
The president said he had decided not to change both the defence minister and the commander-in-chief at the same time given that the war was going on and planned to make the appointments sequentially.
Zelenskyy said that two weeks before the changes, he suggested that Fedorov and Syrskyi meet separately to resolve their differences, but this did not happen.
Following his decision to appoint a new defence minister, Zelenskyy offered Fedorov four different options for continuing to work as part of the team, but he turned them all down.
Mykhailo Fedorov: "Would I return as defence minister? 100%!" Part 2 of our interview
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