Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly described his disagreements with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, saying he believes some of Fedorov’s recent actions — including participation in large-scale demonstrations and appeals for elections — were misguided. The comments marked the first detailed public account from Zelenskyy about the dispute that led to Fedorov’s removal.

Zelenskyy also pointed to concerns surrounding defense expenditures and said inaccurate information from the Defense Ministry played a role in an uncomfortable exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink inside Russia.

The Ukrainian president disclosed figures indicating that Kyiv is facing an increasingly serious shortage of Patriot air-defense missiles, which are crucial for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Deliveries from Western partners have dropped over the last three years while Russia has stepped up its missile attacks.

Despite those difficulties, Zelenskyy pointed to Ukrainian advances on the battlefield. He said Ukrainian forces have nearly retaken the entire Dnipropetrovsk region, with Russian forces retaining control of only roughly 10 square kilometers.

Zelenskyy made the comments during a two-hour meeting with journalists on Saturday that was conducted off the record. A transcript of the discussion was released publicly Sunday.

Zelenskyy gives first detailed account of Fedorov’s dismissal

The wide-ranging discussion touched on Ukraine’s military situation, efforts to defend against Russian ballistic missiles, the status of peace talks, government budget pressures and the political controversy that followed Fedorov’s dismissal.

“I really had and still have a very positive attitude toward Mykhailo. We have been through a lot together. But I believe that he himself goes, or is pushed, into the wrong things,” he said.

Fedorov had become a prominent figure in Ukraine’s government and was widely associated with efforts to modernize the armed forces while expanding the military’s use of technology and drones. He was removed from his post last month after reportedly clashing with Ukraine’s senior military leadership.

His dismissal sparked demonstrations that continued for several weeks but ultimately did not persuade the government to reverse the decision. Fedorov subsequently released a video message in which he called for elections.

Zelenskyy said he attempted to find a way for Fedorov to remain involved in government, presenting him with four possible alternatives. According to Zelenskyy, Fedorov declined each of the proposals.