Protect the Reforms Strengthening Ukraine’s Defence
The Issue
Over the past six months, Ukraine had begun to regain momentum and demonstrate visible results in several areas of its defence effort. Technology, drones, battlefield data and more accountable procurement were becoming increasingly central to this progress. Following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defence, the future of Ukraine’s defence-modernisation, transparent-procurement and anti-corruption reforms has become uncertain.
Why people are concerned
During Fedorov’s tenure, Ukraine accelerated reforms involving drone production, military digitalisation, battlefield data, procurement and cooperation with domestic defence-technology companies.
These reforms were intended to reduce outdated bureaucracy, limit subjective procurement decisions and corruption risks, and direct more resources towards technologies that had demonstrated results on the battlefield. They were also closely connected to Ukraine’s cooperation with European partners.
EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius described Fedorov’s departure as a major surprise and stressed the importance of preserving cooperation on European defence financing and drone production. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová also highlighted the effectiveness of her cooperation with Fedorov on Ukraine’s digital and defence agenda.
Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets in Kyiv and other cities to express their concern. Demonstrations have continued for several consecutive days and have also been supported by Ukrainian communities abroad. This response is not simply about personal support for one official.
It reflects fear that reforms which strengthened Ukraine’s military effectiveness and accountability could now be slowed, weakened or quietly reversed—just as Ukraine had begun to regain momentum.
Among those who joined the demonstrations were veterans, relatives of service members, volunteers and ordinary citizens. Their concern is that stopping this progress could cost Ukraine battlefield initiative, valuable time and human lives.
Why attention matters
The European Union is not an outside observer. European institutions help finance Ukraine’s defence production, military technology and wider transformation. European officials have built working relationships around specific programmes, delivery schedules and funding arrangements.
A sudden change in leadership therefore raises legitimate questions:
- Will existing defence-reform programmes continue without interruption?
- Will transparent and data-driven procurement remain protected?
- Will cooperation with Ukrainian drone and defence-technology manufacturers continue?
- Will European financing remain connected to measurable results and accountable use of resources?
- Will the officials and specialists who built these systems retain enough authority to protect and develop them?
These questions deserve careful examination by the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Parliament.
A possible way forward
We ask European institutions to examine the transition closely and seek credible assurances that Ukraine’s defence-modernisation and anti-corruption reforms will continue with real authority, transparency and measurable results. One possible solution would be a formal reform-continuity or supervisory mechanism connected to European-supported defence programmes. European institutions could help define such a mechanism and invite experienced members of the team that created these systems to participate.
It could:
- monitor the continuation of key reforms and international agreements;
- identify attempts to obstruct or quietly reverse successful systems;
- preserve cooperation with the specialists and teams that developed them;
- provide European partners with reliable information about implementation and results.
The mechanism could include Mykhailo Fedorov or experienced members of his former reform team, should they be willing to participate. Their role should not be a merely symbolic advisory title. It should provide sufficient access, responsibility and influence to protect the systems they helped create and to raise concerns when reforms or agreed programmes are being undermined. The European Union has the experience and institutional tools to determine the most appropriate format.
The essential goal is simple:
Do not allow a sudden personnel decision to reverse reforms that were beginning to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, reduce corruption risks and deliver measurable results.
Please sign this petition to bring the issue to the attention of European decision-makers.
Supporters are also encouraged to send a short, respectful and personalised message to the relevant European institutions.
Contacts:
Commissioner Andrius Kubilius: cab-kubilius-contact@ec.europa.eu
EU Delegation to Ukraine: delegation-ukraine@eeas.europa.eu
European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs: afet-secretariat@europarl.europa.eu
European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence: sede-secretariat@europarl.europa.eu
Subject: Please safeguard the continuity of Ukraine’s defence reforms
Dear Commissioner Kubilius, Ambassador Mathernová and Members of the European Parliament,
I am writing to draw your attention to the risk that Ukraine’s defence-modernisation, transparent-procurement and anti-corruption reforms could lose momentum following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov.
Ukraine had recently begun to regain battlefield initiative, while reforms involving drones, military technology, battlefield data and procurement were starting to produce visible results.
Please examine the transition closely and seek credible assurances that these systems, international agreements and anti-corruption safeguards will continue without interruption.
I also ask you to consider supporting a formal continuity or supervisory mechanism involving experienced members of the team that developed these reforms, with sufficient authority to monitor their implementation and report serious risks.
Thank you for your continued solidarity with Ukraine and for helping protect the effectiveness and accountability of European-supported defence programmes.
Sincerely, [Your name]
For citizens of Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can also support the relevant official petition on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.
Background and further reading
18
The Issue
Over the past six months, Ukraine had begun to regain momentum and demonstrate visible results in several areas of its defence effort. Technology, drones, battlefield data and more accountable procurement were becoming increasingly central to this progress. Following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defence, the future of Ukraine’s defence-modernisation, transparent-procurement and anti-corruption reforms has become uncertain.
Why people are concerned
During Fedorov’s tenure, Ukraine accelerated reforms involving drone production, military digitalisation, battlefield data, procurement and cooperation with domestic defence-technology companies.
These reforms were intended to reduce outdated bureaucracy, limit subjective procurement decisions and corruption risks, and direct more resources towards technologies that had demonstrated results on the battlefield. They were also closely connected to Ukraine’s cooperation with European partners.
EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius described Fedorov’s departure as a major surprise and stressed the importance of preserving cooperation on European defence financing and drone production. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová also highlighted the effectiveness of her cooperation with Fedorov on Ukraine’s digital and defence agenda.
Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets in Kyiv and other cities to express their concern. Demonstrations have continued for several consecutive days and have also been supported by Ukrainian communities abroad. This response is not simply about personal support for one official.
It reflects fear that reforms which strengthened Ukraine’s military effectiveness and accountability could now be slowed, weakened or quietly reversed—just as Ukraine had begun to regain momentum.
Among those who joined the demonstrations were veterans, relatives of service members, volunteers and ordinary citizens. Their concern is that stopping this progress could cost Ukraine battlefield initiative, valuable time and human lives.
Why attention matters
The European Union is not an outside observer. European institutions help finance Ukraine’s defence production, military technology and wider transformation. European officials have built working relationships around specific programmes, delivery schedules and funding arrangements.
A sudden change in leadership therefore raises legitimate questions:
- Will existing defence-reform programmes continue without interruption?
- Will transparent and data-driven procurement remain protected?
- Will cooperation with Ukrainian drone and defence-technology manufacturers continue?
- Will European financing remain connected to measurable results and accountable use of resources?
- Will the officials and specialists who built these systems retain enough authority to protect and develop them?
These questions deserve careful examination by the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Parliament.
A possible way forward
We ask European institutions to examine the transition closely and seek credible assurances that Ukraine’s defence-modernisation and anti-corruption reforms will continue with real authority, transparency and measurable results. One possible solution would be a formal reform-continuity or supervisory mechanism connected to European-supported defence programmes. European institutions could help define such a mechanism and invite experienced members of the team that created these systems to participate.
It could:
- monitor the continuation of key reforms and international agreements;
- identify attempts to obstruct or quietly reverse successful systems;
- preserve cooperation with the specialists and teams that developed them;
- provide European partners with reliable information about implementation and results.
The mechanism could include Mykhailo Fedorov or experienced members of his former reform team, should they be willing to participate. Their role should not be a merely symbolic advisory title. It should provide sufficient access, responsibility and influence to protect the systems they helped create and to raise concerns when reforms or agreed programmes are being undermined. The European Union has the experience and institutional tools to determine the most appropriate format.
The essential goal is simple:
Do not allow a sudden personnel decision to reverse reforms that were beginning to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, reduce corruption risks and deliver measurable results.
Please sign this petition to bring the issue to the attention of European decision-makers.
Supporters are also encouraged to send a short, respectful and personalised message to the relevant European institutions.
Contacts:
Commissioner Andrius Kubilius: cab-kubilius-contact@ec.europa.eu
EU Delegation to Ukraine: delegation-ukraine@eeas.europa.eu
European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs: afet-secretariat@europarl.europa.eu
European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence: sede-secretariat@europarl.europa.eu
Subject: Please safeguard the continuity of Ukraine’s defence reforms
Dear Commissioner Kubilius, Ambassador Mathernová and Members of the European Parliament,
I am writing to draw your attention to the risk that Ukraine’s defence-modernisation, transparent-procurement and anti-corruption reforms could lose momentum following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov.
Ukraine had recently begun to regain battlefield initiative, while reforms involving drones, military technology, battlefield data and procurement were starting to produce visible results.
Please examine the transition closely and seek credible assurances that these systems, international agreements and anti-corruption safeguards will continue without interruption.
I also ask you to consider supporting a formal continuity or supervisory mechanism involving experienced members of the team that developed these reforms, with sufficient authority to monitor their implementation and report serious risks.
Thank you for your continued solidarity with Ukraine and for helping protect the effectiveness and accountability of European-supported defence programmes.
Sincerely, [Your name]
For citizens of Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can also support the relevant official petition on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.
Background and further reading
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Petition created on July 18, 2026