Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Thursday rejected President Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer to become deputy prime minister for military innovations, saying he would not accept another government position unless he was returned to the Defense Ministry.
The announcement came hours after Zelensky publicly confirmed the offer during a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Kyiv.
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“I believe that Mykhailo is in the team. I have offered him several positions; the last position, not to go into the details of all our meetings, is deputy prime minister of Ukraine for military innovations,” Zelensky said.
According to Zelensky, the proposed role would involve coordinating military innovation with the leadership of the Defense Ministry, Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief, the General Staff and the president.
The offer followed more than a week of upheaval in Ukraine’s political and military leadership triggered by Fedorov’s departure from the Defense Ministry on July 15.
Fedorov later accused then-Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky of obstructing military reforms. Nationwide protests subsequently called both for Fedorov’s reinstatement and Syrsky’s removal.
After six days of protests, Zelensky dismissed Syrsky on July 21 and appointed 43-year-old Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapaty as Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief.
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Fedorov welcomed Drapaty’s appointment, describing the change as “a breath of fresh air and new hope” for Ukraine’s defense.
Fedorov says he will only return as defense minister
In a written response shared with journalists Thursday, Fedorov thanked Zelensky for the positions he had been offered but made clear that he would not accept the latest proposal.
“I’m grateful to the president for all the options offered. However, today there are only three positions in the country that, alongside the troops on the battlefield, actually shape the course of the war: the President of Ukraine, the Minister of Defense, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Fedorov wrote.
“That is why I will not accept any position other than Minister of Defense,” he added.
Fedorov said his team entered the Defense Ministry in January with a specific plan centered on defending Ukraine’s skies, holding the front line and striking Russia’s economy – a strategy his team called “AIR–LAND–ECONOMY.”
He argued that another government position would not provide the authority needed to tackle procurement corruption, continue the transformation of the military, conduct asymmetric operations or complete initiatives begun during his six months at the ministry.
“For me, it was never about the title or status – it has only ever been about having a real impact on the outcome and bringing Ukraine closer to victory,” Fedorov wrote.
Protests enter eighth day
Protests demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement continued in Kyiv on Thursday for an eighth consecutive day.
Several hundred people gathered in the capital on July 23, according to Suspilne, as cited by Ukrainska Pravda.
Protesters continued chanting Fedorov’s name along with slogans including “You won’t be able to ignore us,” “We stand and will keep standing” and “Power belongs to the people.”
The demonstrations began on July 16, with participants demanding that Fedorov be returned to the government as defense minister and that Syrsky be dismissed as commander-in-chief.
One of those demands has since been met with Syrsky’s dismissal and Drapaty’s appointment. The demand to reinstate Fedorov remains.
A new demand also emerged during Thursday’s rally concerning recently appointed Veterans Minister Vitalii Kim.
Hromadske reported that some demonstrators were calling for Kim to be replaced, with protesters chanting “An ex-serviceman, not Kim.” One sign read: “The Veterans Minister should be a person who knows the value of human lives.”
Former serviceman Dmytro Koziatynskyi has meanwhile called on Ukrainians to gather again in Kyiv on Friday, July 24, specifically to demand Fedorov’s return as defense minister.
What comes next
Yevhen Khmara, the former head of the SBU’s Alpha special forces unit, has been serving as acting defense minister since July 20.
Drapaty has taken over as commander-in-chief following Syrsky’s dismissal, while Fedorov has now publicly ruled out accepting the alternative position proposed by Zelensky.
On Friday, another protest is planned in Kyiv to demand Fedorov’s reinstatement as defense minister.
While the protesters’ demand for a new commander-in-chief has been met, the question of who will ultimately lead Ukraine’s Defense Ministry remains unresolved.
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