Government restructuring in Ukraine: Ukraine: Protests overshadow election of new government
Accompanied by protests, especially in Kiev, the Ukrainian parliament elected a new government. A clear majority of 289 MPs voted for the appointment of Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyj. Koretskyj, who previously headed the state energy company Naftogaz, is supposed to prepare the country for next winter. Koretsky’s appointment was largely silent. But the planned replacement of the popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is turning into a mud fight. The Ukraine This threatens to weaken itself in the defensive battle against Russia.
The cabinet reshuffle became public at the weekend. President Zelenskyj justified the measure, among other things, with a change in foreign policy strategy in order to strengthen relationships with key partners. Korezkyj succeeds Prime Minister and economic expert Yulia Svyrydenko. A clear majority of 264 MPs also voted in favor of the 16 ministers of Korezkyj’s cabinet in the Verkhovna Rada.
Zelensky is only responsible for selecting candidates for the strategically important posts of foreign and defense minister. But this is exactly where there is controversy.
Protests against the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov
In the morning, hundreds of mostly young people demonstrated in Kiev and other cities against the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov. According to observers, there were a few hundred people in the capital, with its around three million inhabitants, and around 2,000 at the peak. The 35-year-old is considered a reformer and a fighter against widespread corruption in the state apparatus. The day before it became known that Zelensky would not propose him as defense minister again due to a conflict with Commander-in-Chief Syrsky. Instead, he has now suggested intelligence officer Yevhenij Khmara. Chmara has been in charge of the SBU secret service since January.
Fedorov’s popularity has several reasons. While he was still digital minister, he was responsible for the new state-run mobile phone application “Dija”, in which Ukrainians store documents such as passports, vehicle licenses or driving licenses – making many administrative procedures unnecessary. This made him particularly popular among young Ukrainians. His recent successes in the war also earned him a high reputation among the soldiers. The drone troops forced by Fedorov were able to land some spectacular blows. The Russian military, in turn, is barely making any gains in terrain despite record losses on the front.
“It was a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people in the post of Defense Minister,” Fedorov wrote in a farewell post on Telegram. He included photos in which he could also be seen with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). In a letter, Pistorius regretted that his colleague was not continuing the work.
Fedorov goes on the counterattack
Fedorov, who has only been in office for about six months, did not give in without a fight. In a press conference, he confirmed the dispute with the General Staff and made serious allegations against the military leadership around Syrskyj. Fedorov accused the generals of outdated approaches that would not win the war with Russia.
He also held Syrskyj responsible for the forced mobilization of conscript men for the war. In his own words, Fedorov wanted to reform the system for recruiting soldiers and avoid forced mobilization. Instead, he wanted to recruit men with lucrative contracts. “We cannot carry out this reform without the active participation of the General Staff, which is sabotaging it,” complained Fedorov. The financing of the new contract and incentive system is not considered secured.
Zelenskyj makes a decision
At the press conference, Fedorov also talked about his relationship with Zelensky. Fedorov led Zelensky’s media campaign in his 2019 election campaign and then took over the newly created Digital Ministry. “We never let each other down,” he said now. He expressed the hope that the situation could be resolved. A short time later, Zelensky announced his decision and said that Khmara’s nomination would soon be submitted to parliament.
Major General Chmara is considered an expert in drone operations on targets in the Russian hinterland. Before taking over the management of the SBU secret service in January, the cadre officer was already head of the SBU anti-terror center and the special unit “Alpha”.
Conflict weakens Ukraine
The conflict between the army leadership and the defense ministry threatens to paralyze the Ukrainian military. If Ukraine were to lose its current technological advantage, it would have serious consequences on the battlefield compared to the Russian troops, which are equipped with more personnel and greater firepower.
The Kremlin in Moscow appeared unimpressed by the recent government reshuffle. Whoever is defense minister in Ukraine has no influence on the course of the war, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Despite a variety of problems, Moscow emphasizes that Russia will achieve its war goals.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:260716-930-393573/3