Protesters in Ukraine have threatened nationwide demonstrations if Mykhailo Fedorov is not reinstated as defence minister, as President Volodymyr Zelensky scrambles to quell outrage over the decision to oust him.
Over the past week, thousands in Kyiv and other cities have taken to the streets to protest against Fedorov’s removal and demand the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Army veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi said in a social media post that if Syrskyi is not dismissed by Friday and Federov reinstated, “we will begin an open-ended nationwide protest”.
No protests are scheduled before then, and Ukraine is waiting, anxiously, for a resolution. Over the weekend, Ukrainian media reported that Zelensky was consulting ministers and generals in an effort to resolve the crisis.
Amid a welter of rumours, the general staff was forced to deny reports that Gen Syrskyi was about to be – or even had already been – sacked. Another report suggested that Fedorov had refused an offer to return to a different position in government.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the president’s office, urged Ukrainians to remain calm.
“The situation surrounding the latest internal changes has caused strong emotions,” he wrote on Tuesday.
With the noisy calls of angry protesters echoing around the tight confines of Ivana Franka Square, within earshot of the presidential palace, Budanov said the government was taking note.
“I understand people who express their position…..The position of society has been heard.”
