Zelenskyy details rift with Ukraine's dismissed defense minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly addressed his rift with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, stating that the minister's actions, including advocating for elections during wartime, were misguided. Zelenskyy revealed that he believes Fedorov was either acting on his own or being influenced to take actions that could jeopardize national unity.

"I believe elections during a war like this would generally pose enormous risks. Holding elections right now would be a tsunami for the state that would split Ukraine apart," Zelenskyy told reporters. He also alluded to defense spending issues and stated that inaccurate information from the Defense Ministry had led to an awkward exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Starlink usage.

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I believe elections during a war like this would generally pose enormous risks. Holding elections right now would be a tsunami for the state that would split Ukraine apart.

Fedorov, who was credited with modernizing Ukraine's armed forces and integrating technology and drone warfare, was dismissed last month. His removal sparked widespread protests, but they failed to reverse the decision. Zelenskyy mentioned he offered Fedorov four alternative government roles, all of which were rejected.

In addition to the political dispute, Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing military situation. He disclosed a significant shortage of Patriot air-defense missiles, with Western deliveries declining over the past three years while Russian missile strikes have intensified. However, he also reported battlefield successes, stating that Ukrainian forces have almost fully reclaimed the Dnipropetrovsk region, with only a small area remaining under Russian control.

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I really had and still have a very positive attitude toward Mykhailo. We have been through a lot together. But I believe that he himself goes, or is pushed, into the wrong things.