Old management style prevents Zelenskyy from firing Tatarov and Shurma, expert says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is aware of the criticism leveled at his deputy chiefs of staff, Rostyslav Shurma and Oleh Tatarov, but has no intention of dismissing them, political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told NV Radio on Dec. 20.

“His prior experience with Kvartal 95 [Zelenskyy’s former comedy troupe] cultivates a principle of team loyalty,” said Fesenko.

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“He might hear criticisms of individuals, but if the team functions efficiently and loyalty, commitment, and results are evident... I think that for him, this sense of teamwork is significant. If both Shurma and Tatarov are performing their duties as part of the team, and there are no remarks from the president himself, and he deems them useful, he will not dismiss them despite all the criticism.”

However, internal conflicts could prompt staffing decisions, in Fesenko’s estimation.

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“If the president senses an internal conflict obstructing the team's cohesion, creating problems, or hindering results, that's when he might act,” the expert adds.

“Or if there are compelling reasons, such as suspicions and allegations of corruption. For instance, if the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine [NABU] with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office [SAPO] initiate criminal proceedings and provide substantial evidence, this too could constitute serious grounds for personnel decisions.”

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During a major press conference on Dec. 19, Zelenskyy said he has a small team of five or six managers whom he cannot afford to fire because doing so would weaken Ukraine.

The president also stated that he cannot dissolve the Ukrainian parliament during the war, as it would necessitate holding elections. Additionally, he announced plans to reduce the size of the country's government to cut expenses.

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