Photo: facebook.com/mykhailofedorov.com.ua
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence has supported President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal to appoint Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s new Minister of Defense, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reported on Telegram.
According to Honcharenko, all committee members voted in favor of the draft resolution to appoint Fedorov. His candidacy was formally submitted only about an hour earlier. For the appointment to take effect, at least 226 lawmakers must support it in a parliamentary vote.
Background
Fedorov previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation. Earlier in January, President Zelenskyy confirmed that he had offered Fedorov the defense portfolio to replace Denys Shmyhal, arguing that the Defense Ministry needs sweeping reforms, including changes to recruitment and military administration systems.
Shmyhal, who held the defense post only since summer last year, is expected to become First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy.
On January 13, parliament voted to dismiss Fedorov from his digital transformation role and Shmyhal from the defense ministry. Lawmakers are expected to reappoint both officials to their new positions by the end of the day.
