Zelensky Announces Major Defense Forces Reshuffle Amid Ongoing Changes in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined significant changes to the country's defense forces, including the appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense and General Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff.
Background and Context
Zelensky's government has been undergoing a reboot
, with changes applying to various institutions, including the Armed Forces. However, it's been clarified that replacing the commander-in-chief is not envisaged at this time, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Key Developments
Prominent in the reshuffle is the appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov, who has been serving as the Minister of Digital Transformation since 2019, as the new Minister of Defense, replacing Denys Shmyhal. This was confirmed by multiple sources including La Repubblica, The Hindu, and Le Monde.
Zelensky has also proposed appointing Shmyhal as Ukraine's first deputy prime minister and minister of energy, according to Ukrinform.
The Ukrainian president further announced that he would be working closely with brigades and military commanders to implement these changes in the Armed Forces, as reported by Ukrinform.
Budanov's Rise and Role
General Kyrylo Budanov, who is considered enigmatic and a survivor of attacks, will replace Andriy Yermak as the new chief of staff, as per La Repubblica and Deutsche Welle. Budanov, who has survived multiple assassination attempts, carries a piece of shrapnel near his heart and is considered an 'extremist terrorist' by Moscow.
The appointment of Budanov, a military officer, to head the presidential office marks a significant shift. As the former head of Ukraine's military secret service HUR, Budanov is one of the country's most popular civil servants, according to Deutsche Welle.
Changes in Military Education
In addition, Zelensky has mentioned changes in military education, stating that those who train Ukrainian soldiers must themselves learn what war truly is, as per Ukrinform.
Implications and Reactions
These changes come amidst ongoing peace deal talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine. President Zelensky and Donald Trump have reported a lot of progress
towards finalising a peace agreement, although one or two very thorny issues
remain, as mentioned by Sky News World.
Conclusion
The reshuffle marks a significant change in Ukraine's defense forces and may have implications for the ongoing conflict with Russia. While the new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect the situation on the ground as peace talks continue.