Civilian ControlHad Zelensky also sided with Syrskyi on the substance of the arguments the move would have been unpopular yet coherent. Fedorov had been voted in as Minister with a mandate to implement reforms and Zelensky was clear that the reforms should be continued by his successor. The most significant and contentious reform was of Ukraine’s conscription system. It is a deeply unpopular system, leaving men across Ukraine with no certainty or ability to plan for their family. In this context, Syrskyi’s refusal to work with the Ministry to change how the force was managed would make the reform of conscription fail.