Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told lawmakers that he plans to nominate Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, rather than Mykhailo Fedorov, for the post of defense minister, according to Suspilne, citing members of the ruling Servant of the People faction.
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said Zelenskyy told MPs he could not choose between Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Fedorov, adding that Fedorov had failed the reform of Ukraine's territorial recruitment centers (TCCs).
Earlier on Tuesday, Zelenskyy told reporters he had not yet decided whether Fedorov would serve as defense minister in the new government. He said the priorities were improving coordination between the military and the Defense Ministry, addressing problems with the TCC system, and strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
Ukraine's parliament is expected to vote on July 16 to appoint a new prime minister and approve a new cabinet. The nominations for defense minister and foreign minister will be voted on separately.
