Former Defence Minister Mikhaylo Fedorov distanced himself from the protests that erupted following his resignation. In an interview with The New York Times, he stated that he would not join the demonstrators demanding his return to office, but would not discourage them from criticizing the government either.
The formula he chose was balancing without taking sides. Fedorov called the protests themselves a positive signal.
They showed that the Russians did not take our democracy hostage during the war
Condition for Return
Fedorov reiterated what he had said before: he will not return to government unless he is reinstated to the position of Defence Minister. He is not considering any other options for himself.
At the same time, he does not plan to move into political opposition to President Volodymyr Zelensky — at least while the war continues.
I do not want this situation to artificially drag me into politics
According to Fedorov, this is not a personal political struggle over him. He would like the "tug of war" between the protesters and the president to concern not his career, but the strategy for conducting the war.
Conflict That Led to Resignation
The personnel changes resulted from a conflict between Fedorov and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky. In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky explained his decision pragmatically: during wartime, he does not have time to figure out which of the two officials was right, as the priority is the defence of the country.
Both parties to the conflict lost their positions simultaneously: under the updated composition of the National Security and Defence Council, their places were taken by Khmara and Drapaty.
The question that remains open is whether Fedorov's distance from politics will withstand the test of time if protests for his return gain momentum — or whether neutrality under street pressure will become impossible.
