The usually unflappable Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been left facing a credibility crisis in Ukraine after the abrupt sacking of his popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The move, which has sparked widespread protests and public outrage in Kyiv, threatens to overshadow the high-profile visit of outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who arrived in the city today for a final farewell.
As hundreds of protesters gathered outside President Zelenskyy's office, carrying placards and banners, they expressed their anger at what many see as a betrayal of trust. The dismissal of Fedorov, 35, who had only been in post for six months, has sparked allegations of corruption, personal rivalry, and even 'Soviet-style' influence within the military's top brass.
Despite being removed from office, Fedorov was quick to highlight his achievements during his tenure. In a farewell message, he pointed to Ukraine's success in targeting Russian oil refineries with long-range drones, creating fuel shortages in Russia, and claimed to have 'radically improved' the procurement system, saving the state budget billions of dollars.
The timing of the dismissal has been described as awkward for both Zelenskyy and Starmer. As part of his 'legacy tour', Starmer had hoped to highlight Britain's significant contributions to Ukraine's defence under his leadership. However, the domestic unrest could complicate this narrative and raise questions about the UK's continued support for a government facing internal instability.
As the situation unfolds, some protesters are calling on Starmer to raise the issue of Fedorov's dismissal directly with President Zelenskyy during his visit. This could put pressure on the Ukrainian leader to explain his actions and provide reassurance about the country's commitment to transparency and accountability.
The removal of Fedorov is part of a wider government reshuffle, which also saw Yulia Svyrydenko depart from her role as Prime Minister. Despite pleas from foreign partners and civil society organisations for him to remain in his post, Zelenskyy appears determined to press ahead with the change.