---
title: "Zelenskyy explains Fedorov's dismissal: 'Without me, they don't sit down at the negotiating table'"
description: "🇺🇦 Zelenskyy explains Fedorov's dismissal: 'Without me, they don't agree'. The cause was a breakdown in communication between the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces. Reaction: Lyzavets' resignation, protests in Kyiv, questions from the EU 🤝💥"
date: 2026-07-16T11:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-explains-fedorovs-dismissal-without-me-they-dont-sit-down-at-the-negotiating-table
tags: [zelensky, fedorov, ukraine-defense-ministry, kyiv, european-union]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy explains Fedorov's dismissal: 'Without me, they don't sit down at the negotiating table'

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a black shirt sits at a desk, explaining the reasons for Mykhailo Fedorov's dismissal and emphasizing his role in negotiations](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/16/zelensky-obyasnil-uvolnenie-fedorova-bez-menya-oni-ne-sadyatsya-za-stol-peregovorov/zelensky-obyasnil-uvolnenie-fedorova-bez-menya-oni-ne-sadyatsya-za-stol-peregovorov-1.webp)

### Personal responsibility for the breakdown in communication

The reason for the dismissal of Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, was a systemic problem in the interaction between the ministry and the leadership of the Armed Forces. This was stated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. The head of state admitted that dialogue between key figures in the defense sector took place exclusively through him, and without his participation, the parties could not find unity.

«And in this, the problem lies not only with the parties, but also with me. That is, I do not absolve myself of responsibility», — the president emphasized. He added that, despite respect for both sides and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, the situation required a radical solution: «Either one side or the other, because without me they do not sit down at the negotiating table».

### Requirements for the army and the Ministry of Defense

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces command to work independently. According to him, daily interaction should take place without the constant intervention of the head of state — this is a condition for effective management in wartime.

### Reaction to personnel changes

The decision to dismiss Fedorov caused a stir. Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Pavlo Lyzavets, immediately after the announcement of the change of minister, resigned, calling the dismissal «absolute evil» for Ukraine. The European Union also expressed concern: European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, stated that Fedorov fully corresponded to his position and called on Kyiv to explain the reasons for the change in leadership.

### Public reaction

An action in support of Fedorov took place in Kyiv near the Ivan Franko Theatre. Participants appealed to the president with a call not to dismiss the minister, expressing disagreement with the personnel decision. The events surrounding Fedorov's dismissal became a reason for wide discussion both within the country and abroad.