Budanov responds to scandal surrounding Fedorov's dismissal: We cannot allow our emotions to weaken our unity
Amid public outcry over Mykhailo Fedorov’s resignation as defense minister, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Office of the President, called on Ukrainians to remain united, stressing that emotions or disputes must not be allowed to weaken that unity. Budanov wrote about this on his Telegram channel, according to the Ukrainian News agency.
He noted in particular that Ukrainians are a nation that knows how to and has the right to ask difficult questions and demand answers; today’s discussions surrounding government administration prove once again that society is not indifferent.
"At the same time, the discussion should make us stronger and lead to the right conclusions. However, no personal emotions or sympathies can undermine our common struggle against the enemy. We have no right to allow emotions or disputes to weaken our greatest strength—our unity. We must channel all our energy and strength in a single direction—to fight against the occupier,” emphasized the head of the President's Office.
Budanov added that the strength of Ukrainians lies in their ability to debate while remaining a united front, where everyone, in their respective roles, continues to work toward a shared success.
“Unity, resilience, and trust in the Ukrainian state are just as much a weapon today as the professionalism of our military. We have stopped the enemy’s onslaught by demonstrating unprecedented unity to the occupiers and the entire world. We must preserve this unity: civil society, parliament, the President, the government, and the security and defense forces. Let’s work together—with a cool head and a warm heart. The future of the next generations depends on our sense of responsibility today,” he noted.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on July 15 it became known that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had decided not to nominate Fedorov for reappointment as Minister of Defense.
On July 16, protests began in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine. People are demanding a reconsideration of the decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov and are calling for the reform agenda at the Ministry of Defense to be maintained.
Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Air Forces Pavlo Yelizarov submitted his resignation following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Mykyta Poturaiev, a member of the Verkhovna Rada from the Servant of the People faction and the chairman of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, announced that he is resigning his parliamentary seat due to disagreement with personnel policy.