Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy's former press secretary Yulia Mendel claimed that Zelenskyy's main goal is not to achieve peace but to control money flows. In a post on the social media platform X, Mendel described the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as a 'redistribution of money flows'.
Mendel stated, 'Fedorov's dismissal is just a redistribution of money flows. Zelenskyy is not interested in victory or peace; he wants control of the money flows.'
The former spokesperson disagreed with the image of Fedorov as an 'ideal minister' portrayed in the media, stressing that the real issue is not state policy but corruption. Mendel argued that corruption has become the foundation of Zelenskyy's rule and that he harbors a desire to remain in power forever.
Mendel's remarks came amid a period of extensive government changes in Ukraine. On July 16, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved 16 new ministers while leaving the foreign and defense ministry posts vacant. Zelenskyy had previously announced his intention to dismiss Defense Minister Fedorov.
During the process of Fedorov's dismissal, support rallies were held in Kyiv and other cities, while there were also protests against then-Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi. On July 22, Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as Chief of General Staff.