President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Mykhailo Fedorov’s resignation had been preceded by months of serious problems in cooperation and coordination between the Chief of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defence. According to the President, constant coordination between these institutions is required to address key defence challenges, particularly with regard to mobilisation and air defence.
Briefly about the main points
- Zelenskyy spoke of problems between the General Staff and the Ministry of Defence that have been ongoing for several months.
- The President described mobilisation as the main challenge facing Ukraine.
- Ukraine may face a further 500,000 Russian troops.
- Zelenskyy spoke of the shortage of anti-missile systems.
- Following a series of personnel decisions, there have been changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff.
The President called for ongoing coordination
Zelenskyy said he did not have time to listen to the positions of each side separately: representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the military command, he said, should meet every hour. «There are certain issues that we need to resolve, and these can only be resolved if the Ministry cooperates with the army. It is impossible for one side alone to resolve them,» he said.
The President linked the need for the two bodies to work together to mobilisation. He stressed that Ukraine needs a new approach to this process and new measures, as it may face a further 500,000 Russian troops.
The President described air defence as the second key task
Zelenskyy cited air defence as the second issue. He stated that Ukraine does not have enough anti-missile systems.
This issue follows a different logic from mobilisation: personnel coordination can speed up decision-making, but the number of interception assets also depends on production, funding and international supplies. The President had previously reported on intelligence and information from partners regarding Russia’s preparations for a new large-scale missile strike.
A reshuffle following the resignation
After resignations Yevhen Khmara is temporarily acting as Minister of Defence in Fedorova’s absence. On 22 July, Oleksandr Syrskyi was relieved of his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Major General Mykhailo Drapaty has been appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief, whilst Major General Ihor Skybyuk has been appointed Chief of the General Staff.
The sequence of these decisions suggests that the president is seeking to restore control over the relationship between the ministry and the military command, rather than merely resolving a personal conflict. The practical outcome will depend on whether the new leaders are able to establish a sustainable working relationship.
Zelenskyy on the risks of further attacks and the situation in Russia
The President stated that Ukraine must do everything possible to avoid opening a new front. At the same time, he said, Iran and North Korea have already attacked Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed the hope that these attacks would not intensify, but noted that the state must be prepared for all scenarios.
He also said that he could not trust «these people» because, as he put it, Iran had supplied Russia with weapons right from the start, without any escalation on Ukraine’s part. Separately, Zelenskyy highlighted Russia’s domestic problems with petrol, diesel and logistics, and said that Vladimir Putin fears questions from his own society. Ukrmedia reported that Russia had restricted diesel exports to support the domestic market following strikes on oil refineries; this is putting additional strain on its fuel system, although it does not prove to have a decisive impact on the Russian army’s ability to fight.
