Ukraine’s ruling party may postpone a Verkhovna Rada vote on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s nominee for defense minister after the planned dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov triggered rare wartime protests and exposed divisions within the president’s own party. The Servant of the People party will hold a separate meeting during a break in Thursday’s Verkhovna Rada session to discuss the nomination of Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, a party source told RBC-Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The source said the vote on Klymenko’s appointment could be delayed, suggesting the presidential team may not yet have secured enough support in the Verkhovna Rada. The uncertainty marks an unusual challenge to Zelensky’s authority within a legislature that has generally backed his major wartime personnel decisions. Hundreds of protesters gathered Thursday morning at Ivan Franko Square in central Kyiv, a short walk from the Presidential Office, demanding that Fedorov remain in charge of the Defense Ministry. Similar demonstrations were reported in Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities. Protesters carried signs reading “Don’t Touch What Works,” “Reforms Must Continue,” “Change or Perish” and “Efficiency Is Contraindicated.” Many described Fedorov as one of Ukraine’s most effective officials and warned that his removal could undermine military modernization and restore outdated approaches to defense management.