Zelensky Proposes Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov as Ukraine’s New Defense Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Mykhailo Fedorov, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, is being nominated as a candidate for the Ministry of Defense and will be presented to parliament for approval.

According to Zelensky, if approved by the parliament, Fedorov will replace Denys Shmyhal as the head of the Ministry of Defense. He emphasized that this change is part of a broader review of Ukraine’s defense structure.

In his nightly address, Zelensky expressed appreciation for Shmyhal’s performance during his term as Defense Minister and said that a new role within the government will be assigned to him. The details of this new position have not yet been disclosed.

The Ukrainian president also highlighted Fedorov’s capabilities in developing drone-related programs and digitizing the defense sector. He noted that Fedorov has played an active role in coordinating between the military, military command, domestic arms industries, and international partners.

Fedorov has previously served as the Minister of Digital Transformation, and his appointment as Defense Minister now awaits a vote of confidence from the Ukrainian parliament.