Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a surprise shake-up, prompting protesters to gather in Kyiv, according to CNBC.
Key facts
- Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a surprise decision.
- Protesters took to the streets of Kyiv on Thursday in response, according to CNBC.
- Some called for a peaceful protest following the move.
- The shake-up came shortly after parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a surprise shake-up, according to CNBC. The decision drew an immediate public reaction, with protesters gathering in the capital.
CNBC reported that Ukrainian protesters took to the streets of Kyiv on Thursday, decrying Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Fedorov from his post. The move had prompted some to call for a peaceful protest.
The reshuffle came shortly after Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to CNBC, adding to a period of change at the top of the country’s government.
The sequence of events points to significant turnover among senior Ukrainian officials in a short span of time. The dismissal of a sitting defense minister and the earlier resignation of the prime minister mark notable shifts in the leadership overseeing key parts of the state.
Based on the available reporting, the response in Kyiv appeared swift, with demonstrators voicing their objections publicly in the immediate aftermath of the announcement. Calls for a peaceful protest emerged alongside the news of the dismissal.
Further details on the reasons for the dismissal, any replacement for the defense minister, and the scale and duration of the protests were not provided in the sources available.
Why it matters
The defense minister is a central figure in Ukraine's leadership, and a sudden dismissal alongside the prime minister's resignation signals meaningful change at the top of the government. Public protests in the capital suggest the move is contested domestically.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Zelenskyy dismiss?
According to CNBC, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a surprise decision.
How did the public respond?
CNBC reported that protesters took to the streets of Kyiv on Thursday to decry the decision, and some had called for a peaceful protest.
What other leadership change happened recently?
The shake-up came shortly after Ukraine's parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to CNBC.