Moscow considers the deployment of any troops from the so-called 'coalition of the willing' in Ukraine unacceptable, stressing that Russia would regard them as legitimate military targets. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova affirmed that Western countries are fully aware that any of their military forces in Ukraine would be a target for Russian armed forces personnel. Replying to a question about how aware the West is of this possibility, Zakharova said: 'I think they are perfectly aware of it,' according to Russia's Sputnik news agency.

Adding a comment on the stance of US President Donald Trump's administration regarding Ukraine, Zakharova said in a statement to Russia's Channel One: 'The goals are set, and the tasks are defined. If there are realistic proposals, no one here will ever reject them.'

President Zelensky with a team of European officials in Kyiv (AP)

Zakharova pointed to hostile statements from Western Europe regarding readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. She explained that while Europe talks about security guarantees for Ukraine, it offers Moscow no guarantees for Russia. According to her, in 2021 Russia proposed to the West formulating mutual security guarantees, but it never received a clear response to its idea.

She said: 'I would suggest they start with something closer to home; for example, provide some kind of security guarantees to Greenland.'

Russian opposition figure Boris Nadezhdin, who faces legal proceedings threatening his parliamentary election campaign, told AFP of his fears that President Vladimir Putin is leading Russia toward a possible 'catastrophe.' Speaking in an interview on Wednesday in Dolgoprudny, a Moscow suburb where he lives, Nadezhdin said: 'We must tell people the truth, we must make it clear that the policy with which Putin runs the country is leading to chaos, and perhaps to a catastrophe, God forbid.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)

At a time when Ukraine appeared to be regaining the initiative on the battlefield, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a sudden government reshuffle that pushed the defense minister to resign, sparking rare protests across the country. Parliament approved the appointment of a new prime minister, Serhiy Kuritsky, former head of the state gas company Naftogaz, along with most of his cabinet. However, his appointment was overshadowed by protests over the resignation of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his sharp attack on the army's top commander.

'NATO Not Worried'

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told dpa that he does not expect the appointment of a new Ukrainian defense minister to lead to drastic changes in Kyiv's strategy in its fight against Moscow.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is reportedly under consideration to succeed the defense minister. But Rutte said he expects 'continuity,' as the Ukrainian army is 'performing much better' on the front line compared to the beginning of the year. He added that the Russian army is advancing very slowly, and Ukraine has managed to launch counterattacks in some areas. Rutte noted that Russia is losing between 25,000 and 35,000 troops per month. Additionally, Rutte said Ukraine is 'also striking deep inside Russia,' targeting its energy infrastructure and industrial base.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov (Reuters)

Why Now?

The reshuffle comes less than a year after the previous government change, and only six months after Fedorov was appointed to reform the army. It also comes at a time of relative optimism in Kyiv about the course of the war, after Ukrainian forces halted the advance of Russian troops and intensified strikes inside Russian territory. Zelensky offered little explanation, merely saying 'it is important to prepare the country for winter,' a task he entrusted to Kuritsky. Opposition legislator Inna Sovsun told AFP the move 'came as a complete surprise.'

The timing of the reshuffle sparked much speculation. Political expert Volodymyr Fesenko said the reshuffle is likely linked to Zelensky's desire to appoint former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as ambassador to the United States, after Ukrainian media reported that the current ambassador is under investigation in a corruption case. Kuritsky was tasked with preparing Ukraine and its energy sector for winter, when Russia is expected to resume its attacks that have severely damaged the power grid, leaving millions without heating or electricity in subzero temperatures.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (right) and his Ukrainian counterpart Mykhailo Fedorov (left) sign a German-Ukrainian defense cooperation agreement in the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky... Berlin, April 14, 2026 (EPA)

Military Protests

Fedorov's resignation has divided the country and the military establishment, leading to unusually direct political statements from high-ranking military officials. Fedorov said he was pushed to resign at the request of Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, whom he accused of issuing an ultimatum to Zelensky. Zelensky said: 'Frankly, a president in wartime should not be forced to choose in such a situation,' noting that communication between the two sides was almost cut off. He added: 'I greatly desire to achieve unity.' Since his appointment in January, Fedorov had pushed for army modernization, leading to clashes with Syrsky, who is more committed to a traditional approach. Syrsky said: 'We must focus on the war and an effective strategy.' The deputy commander of the Air Force resigned in protest, arguing that Fedorov's dismissal would cause 'great damage to the country's defense.'

Ukrainian Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty, whose name is being floated as a possible successor to Syrsky, said the army 'needs change' and that reforms must not be stopped. Zelensky appointed Yevhen Khmar, a professional intelligence officer with little political presence, as acting defense minister. Analysts said Zelensky ultimately chose not to change the army chief at a critical moment, preferring instead to dismiss Fedorov, his longtime aide and ally.

Serhiy Kuritsky, head of the state energy group Naftogaz, as Prime Minister (AFP)

Army Chief Under Fire

The crisis centers on Fedorov's accusations that Syrsky obstructed necessary reforms in an army exhausted by four years of war, and which has been hit by scandals over the treatment of conscripts.