**Ukraine’s President Speaks Out on Defense Ministry Dispute**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has weighed in on a dispute between the Defense Ministry and the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA). In an interview with the Associated Press, he said that the Defense Minister has the right to take action to prevent delays in military supplies.
**Warning of Consequences**
Zelensky warned that any interruptions in military support could have serious consequences. He said that if there were problems affecting contracts or deliveries, immediate action was necessary to prevent interruptions. He emphasized that there should be no pauses in the supply of artillery packages.
**Defense Minister’s Authority**
Zelensky stated that the Defense Minister has the authority to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that military supplies continue without interruption. He said that all of Ukraine’s money for defense is currently held by the Defense Ministry, and that if there were delays or problems with deliveries, the minister must take action to prevent them.
**Background on Dispute**
The dispute began after the head of the DPA, Maryna Bezrukova, was suspended by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The Defense Ministry cited several reasons for her removal, including alleged failure to fulfill planned deliveries and poor procurement planning. This move has sparked backlash, with some accusing the Defense Ministry of a “hostile takeover” that manipulated state enterprise records.
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