Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s ousted defense minister, has refused to accept any other government position besides his former job, escalating a political crisis in the country. Fedorov’s surprise dismissal earlier this month sparked rare wartime protests, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to replace his top general with a respected younger commander.

Protests Continue

Thousands of demonstrators have rallied in Kyiv and other cities over the past week to express anger over what they said was Zelenskiy’s lack of communication over his decision-making. Protesters have given Zelenskiy a deadline of Friday to return Fedorov to his post.

Fedorov said that only the positions of president, military chief, and defense minister could actually shape the course of the war. He also stated that no other role carries the actual authority to combat procurement corruption, complete the army’s transformation, plan and execute asymmetric operations against the enemy.

Discussions between Zelenskiy and Fedorov are still ongoing, according to a source familiar with the matter. Protest organizer Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a military veteran, said that Fedorov had done the right thing by digging in and that there must be reforms in the Ministry of Defense.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.