Ukraine’s political landscape remains in turmoil. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues reshaping his war-time government. On 3 August, Zelenskyy announced the appointment of Rustem Umerov as the new head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service. Umerov, previously the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, has been a central figure in Kyiv’s diplomatic outreach. He played a role in peace process discussions led by the United States. This shift follows a broader reorganisation within the administration. The reorganisation has triggered both internal and public tensions.
Zelenskyy highlighted Umerov’s multifaceted role, noting that he will continue to lead peace negotiations while managing the Drone Deal initiative with foreign partners. The president argued that Umerov’s background in both military and diplomatic affairs makes him uniquely suited to coordinate across these complex domains. This transition maintains the flow of critical foreign support and dialogue during the ongoing war, though it adds to the growing sense of instability within Zelenskyy’s government.
Protests and political unrest
The announcement comes against the backdrop of mass demonstrations in Kyiv, sparked by Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Mykhailo Fedorov from his position at the Ministry of Defence. Protests demanding Fedorov’s return have become a regular feature, with hundreds showing up in defiance of ongoing air raid alerts. On 31 July, the largest protest in years—organizers called it the biggest since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity—was held in the capital. The movement, which is gaining momentum, is led in part by war veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, who has become a visible voice among the protesters.
Koziatynskyi urged Zelenskyy to give Fedorov a full year to implement his reforms. He warned that failure to address the public’s concerns could lead to increasing frustration. It could also cause greater uncertainty as Ukraine faces winter challenges. During a recent protest, demonstrators refused to disperse despite air raid sirens. They continued to chant, “We stand and we will keep standing.” Koziatynskyi stressed that reinstating Fedorov is the final demand of the movement. It is a signal that the protests may intensify unless the president makes a move.
Government reshuffle and military leadership
Zelenskyy’s government reshuffle has also seen changes at the highest levels of the armed forces. Earlier in the month, he replaced Oleksandr Syrskyi, the previous commander in chief, with Mykhailo Drapatyi, a highly regarded military leader. While this change appears to have been accepted more quietly by the public, the Fedorov issue remains a flashpoint. Despite the protests and mounting pressure from supporters, Zelenskyy has shown no signs of reversing his decision to dismiss Fedorov, leaving the situation in a tense stalemate.
The Foreign Intelligence Service has operated without a permanent chief since the winter. This fact has not garnered as much public attention as the crisis at the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence has no full-time minister for over two weeks. As the political tensions persist, the lack of clarity on Zelenskyy’s next steps raises concerns. The concerns relate to the stability and direction of Ukraine. The country prepares for a potentially difficult winter.