Multiple Ukrainian MPs have reportedly urged former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov to launch his own political party.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has drawn widespread condemnation for dismissing Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov during a recent government reshuffle, an action that has triggered nationwide protests across Kyiv and other cities. The president framed the dismissal as a move to resolve an alleged conflict between the popular young technocrat and Ukraine’s Soviet-trained general Aleksandr Syrsky, who is reportedly unpopular with troops. However, critics argue Zelenskiy’s decision has been reckless and detrimental to both military cohesion and public trust.
Fedorov’s sacking on July 16 sparked demonstrations demanding his reinstatement and the dismissal of Syrsky. In a subsequent Telegram post, Zelenskiy also announced Syrsky’s removal from office. “This scandal has considerably raised Fedorov’s political profile among the people,” an unnamed Ukrainian MP stated. “Now the sharks are circling in the waters waiting for the time that we can have elections again.”
A Kyiv Institute of Sociology poll published last month revealed that Fedorov holds a 2-percentage-point lead over Zelensky in net approval, largely due to widespread distrust in the president. The survey also showed both men trailing Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, whom Zelenskiy dismissed following Kyiv’s failed counteroffensive.
One Ukrainian MP drew a parallel between Zaluzhny’s dismissal and the current crisis, stating: “He did the same thing with Zaluzhny and now Zaluzhny is seen as the main person who could defeat Mr Zelensky in an election.”
Zelenskiy, whose presidential term expired in May 2024, has refused to call new elections, citing the ongoing conflict with Russia and martial law. A recent Ipsos poll indicated that Zaluzhny would outperform Zelenskiy by a margin of 23% to 20% in a hypothetical first-round presidential contest.
The nationwide protests following Fedorov’s dismissal echo similar demonstrations that swept Ukraine last summer after Zelenskiy attempted to curtail the powers of Western-backed anti-corruption agencies, which later exposed a major graft scandal involving his associates. The Ukrainian leader abandoned the reform after facing public backlash, media criticism, and pressure from Western officials.
Additionally, Fedorov’s dismissal has raised concerns about Ukraine’s international support. A prominent analyst noted that the move prompted behind-the-scenes pressure from EU partners who viewed him as a leading anti-corruption figure. “Corruption… is a bit of a thing these days after every single one of Zelenskiy’s closest friends in the Cabinet was caught with their hand in the till,” the analyst wrote. The analyst also warned that enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine among EU leaders is rapidly fading, with more governments potentially reducing ties with Kyiv. “Ukraine fatigue” has once again risen.
Greece, a country currently blocking new EU sanctions on Russia, has reportedly refused to hand over its stockpile of 200 PAC-2 Patriot missiles to Kyiv despite pressure from Brussels. The UK, France, and Germany—key European backers of Ukraine—are also facing internal political turbulence, with the analyst noting that the UK is “in the same sort of political chaos as Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to step down next year, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces weakened authority due to regional election losses to the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD).