Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has effectively issued an ultimatum to President Volodymyr Zelensky, demanding to be reinstated within 12 days.

Fedorov said he would reveal the details of his next steps after August 18, when Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada returns from its summer recess. According to him, if Zelensky refuses to restore him to office or if parliament delays consideration of the issue, he has several alternative courses of action prepared.

The former defense minister stated that he has multiple contingency plans and intends to pursue them if necessary. He said his primary objective is to implement what he described as a strategy aimed at achieving victory.

Fedorov’s dismissal previously sparked protests across Ukraine. In July, demonstrations against his removal as defense minister took place in Kyiv and several other cities. Later, additional rallies were held in support of Fedorov and against Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, with protesters gathering in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernivtsi, and Kryvyi Rih.

His dismissal came as part of another government reshuffle initiated by President Zelensky, who announced plans to once again change the composition of the Cabinet, including the leadership of the Defense Ministry.

According to Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak, one of the reasons for the decision was Zelensky’s assessment that Fedorov had failed to carry out the reform of Ukraine’s military recruitment offices.