Fedorov Issued An Ultimatum Regarding Zelensky's Return To The Team
- 1.08.2026, 14:41
The former defense minister revealed whether he would join the opposition to the Ukrainian president.
Former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov stated that he does not intend to become a political opponent of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the war. At the same time, he emphasized that he would not agree to return to the government unless he were reinstated specifically as head of the Ministry of Defense.
He made this statement in an interview The New York Times. The former defense minister also supported Ukrainians’ right to peaceful protest, calling it evidence that democracy remains intact even in the midst of war.
Fedorov outlined his priority following his resignation
During the conversation, Fedorov emphasized that he does not view the situation surrounding his dismissal as part of a political confrontation, and therefore will not comment on either his conversations with the president or the circumstances of the personnel decision.
“I don’t want this situation to artificially drag me into politics,” said the former minister.
At the same time, he claims that representatives of the defense lobby actively pushed for his resignation, and that the reason was disagreements with certain generals and officials regarding military strategy, as well as issues related to the fight against corruption.
Fedorov noted, however, that he would like the public discussion to focus not on him personally, but on finding the most effective strategy for waging war.
He also assured that, regardless of whether he returns to the government, he will continue to promote the development of robotic technologies in the military, since, in his words, the widespread use of sensors, automated combat modules, and drones will significantly reduce the involvement of infantry on the front lines.
Protests as Evidence of a Vibrant Democracy
At the same time, the former minister also stated that he does not plan to join the protests, but neither does he intend to condemn or dissuade their participants from publicly criticizing the authorities. In his view, the right of citizens to openly express their views is important even in wartime.
At the same time, he viewed the very fact that the protests took place in a positive light, stating that they demonstrated that “Russians have not held our democracy hostage during the war.”