Outrage at sacking of Ukraine’s defence minister overshadows Starmer’s final visit as PM – as it happened
Ukraine's Political Turmoil Takes Center Stage as Fedorov's Dismissal Sparks Nationwide Protests
Domestic Crisis Overshadows Starmer's Farewell
Outrage at sacking of Ukraine s defence - Mass demonstrations have erupted across Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's controversial decision to remove Mykhailo Fedorov from his position as defence minister. The popular official, widely regarded as a reform-minded moderniser, faced mounting tensions with military leadership before his dismissal. Thousands of citizens took to the streets in Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities, expressing their dismay through placards and public gatherings. One particularly poignant sign read simply: "For what?"
This growing domestic political upheaval coincided with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's final official visit to Kyiv as the nation's leader. Despite the turmoil, both heads of state emphasized the enduring strength of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Ukraine. Zelenskyy additionally expressed his hope that the strong partnership would continue under the incoming British prime minister, Andy Burnham.
New Leadership Appointments and International Developments
In a separate development, the Ukrainian parliament formally confirmed Sergii Koretskyi as the country's new prime minister. This appointment comes amid broader governmental restructuring efforts. Meanwhile, European Union member states struggled to reach consensus on the latest package of sanctions targeting the Kremlin. An interim agreement was reached to maintain the existing price cap on Russian oil at $44.10 per barrel until July 23, with plans for another attempt to finalize comprehensive measures.
Elsewhere in European news, the EU's highest court delivered a significant ruling regarding Spain's controversial amnesty legislation. The law, which provided legal protection to individuals who planned and participated in the unsuccessful and unlawful Catalan independence movement, was found not to violate European Union regulations.
Monaco Assassination Attempt: Accusations Fly Between Intelligence Agencies
Vadym Iermolaiev, a Ukrainian businessman who survived a devastating bombing in Monaco, has publicly accused Ukraine's military intelligence service of orchestrating the attack. In his first statement since the incident that rocked the wealthy principality, Iermolaiev alleged that both current and former officers of the GUR were responsible for the attempted killing. The explosion severely injured Iermolaiev while critically wounding his partner.
"Based on the investigative evidence available to us, we have no doubt that serving officers of the main intelligence directorate of the ministry of defence of Ukraine, commonly known as the GUR, were directly involved in this attempted assassination," Iermolaiev declared in a statement released by his legal representatives.
French investigators have identified Anastasiia Berezovska as the suspected bomber, accusing the Ukrainian national of deliberately placing an explosive device in a public location. The bomb detonated as Iermolaiev exited a building alongside his partner and their thirteen-year-old child. Days following the attack, Berezovska was discovered deceased near Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities have detained two individuals in connection with her death: Vladyslav Reut, a GUR officer, and Oleksandr Zhykovych, a former law enforcement official.
Zelenskyy Defends Fedorov Dismissal Amid Growing Outrage
President Zelenskyy addressed the controversy during a press conference in Kyiv alongside Prime Minister Starmer. He acknowledged that relations between Fedorov and the military's commander-in-chief, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, had deteriorated significantly. Zelenskyy described the situation as a "challenging dialogue" between the two parties.
"I would very much like to see unity. The sides have not found it. And the problem lies not only with the sides, but with me as well," Zelenskyy explained. "But things are as they are. And in such a situation, you have a choice: either one side or the other."
The president's decision to support Syrskyi has generated considerable anger within Ukrainian civil society and disappointment among international partners. More than a thousand demonstrators assembled outside the presidential residence on Thursday, displaying signs of solidarity with Fedorov.
Additional Concerns: Romanian Housing Crisis
Exclusive data shared with the Guardian reveals that tourists visiting Bucharest are increasingly booking accommodation through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com in buildings deemed seismically vulnerable. These structures could potentially collapse during a major earthquake, raising safety concerns for visitors and residents alike.
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