After Protests, Another Zelenskyy Decision: Experts Assess What Awaits Ukraine

Recent government reshuffles in Ukraine, particularly the dismissal of a popular minister, have ignited public debate and protests, with experts weighing in on the potential consequences. Dalia Makarova, chairwoman of the Ukrainian community in Lithuania, noted that President Zelenskyy's tendency to make significant decisions without detailed public explanations has fueled growing dissatisfaction.

Makarova believes the dismissal of Minister Fedorov, who was considered one of the most popular and forward-thinking ministers, was the final straw for many. She pointed out that Zelenskyy has a pattern of removing popular figures, citing the earlier case of General Zaluzhny, as his own approval ratings decline. This move, she suggests, signals a potential shift in the direction of reforms, alarming the younger generation who anticipated faster changes in governance and the military.

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It is not the first time that ministers have been changed and the government has been changed unilaterally, without explanations to the public. And this is purely Zelenskyy's personal decision. Moreover, he never likes people who have some authority and are liked by people. When his ratings start to fall, he always gets rid of those people who have a higher rating in society.

However, political scientist Alvydas Medalinskas urged a broader perspective, cautioning against attributing the changes solely to Fedorov's popularity or Zelenskyy's fear of political rivals. He highlighted that the recent reshuffling extends beyond the Ministry of Defense, impacting the leadership of economics, infrastructure, and power structures. Medalinskas argued that focusing only on Fedorov overlooks the comprehensive nature of this government overhaul.

Medalinskas acknowledged that Fedorov's dismissal could have unintended consequences. While he was previously seen as a successful minister, his removal might position him as a significant political player in the future. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions about the underlying goals of these extensive government reforms and their ultimate impact on Ukraine's political landscape.

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If we look deeper into these processes, to answer what happened, we need to answer the question of what were the main goals of such a government reshuffling. We immediately focused on two things – the issue of the prime minister and Fedorov. However, this was a very cardinal change of government. Super-ministries were reshaped, the entire power structure block was reorganized. Therefore, the view that everything is tied only to one minister is probably not the whole answer.