Ukraine’s former defense minister Fedorov says he had no personal conflict with former armed forces commander-in-chief Syrskyi. ‘It’s an ideological conflict.’

Source: Ukrainska Pravda

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defense minister, said in a lengthy interview with the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda that he never had a personal conflict with former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

In fact, there wasn’t really any personal conflict with the commander-in-chief. It’s more of an ideological conflict. We came in with a certain vision of the war. But that vision has to be translated into concrete reforms, projects, and operations that need to be implemented.

The Defense Ministry never blocked a single decision made by the Ukrainian General Staff or the commander-in-chief, Fedorov added. “It was my position as a citizen and defense minister: despite our ideological conflicts, not to block any process within the military,” he said.

Fedorov said he had never heard of any ultimatum from Syrskyi and had not issued any of his own. He confirmed that the conflict with the Ukrainian General Staff was indeed why he was dismissed, adding that Zelensky told him so shortly before removing him from office. “I don’t want to recount my conversation with the president. Those are our conversations. And I have nothing new to add,” Fedorov said.

Fedorov served as defense minister from January to July 2026, before Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him — reportedly over a conflict with Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Syrskyi later wrote a column saying he “didn’t even know” about the conflict with Fedorov.

Fedorov’s dismissal sparked street protests demanding his reinstatement. Syrskyi was also removed from his post shortly afterward.

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Ukraine’s former defense minister Fedorov says he had no personal conflict with former armed forces commander-in-chief Syrskyi. ‘It’s an ideological conflict.’

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Ukraine’s former defense minister Fedorov says he had no personal conflict with former armed forces commander-in-chief Syrskyi. ‘It’s an ideological conflict.’

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