The President of Ukraine said that two of Stepanov's predecessors, Zoryana Skaletskaya and Ilya Yemets, were psychologically killed by the virus, so they could not quickly complete tasks.

The head of state spoke about this in an interview with Focus.

According to Volodymyr Zelensky, he respects Skaletskaya and wanted her to stay in office, but during the February events in Novi Sanzhary, when people aggressively met the Ukrainians evacuated from Wuhan, China, she could not cope. He claims that she did not understand what to do with such a reaction from local residents.. Zelensky on the phone advised Skaletskaya to self-isolate in a sanatorium together with the evacuees in order to convince the residents of Novi Sanzhary that they are not in danger.

“There was minister Yemets. Great scientist, great physician and surgeon. But he was required to work 24 hours a day.. I think it was difficult for him. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, he could not, although I respect him, "

He believes that they were fired not because they are bad ministers, but because they found themselves in such a difficult situation..

“Coronavirus is war.

And in war, the commander leads the soldier in the attack. If he does not lead, and the soldier runs first to attack, change the commander. If the commander is killed, another must appear. It's the same here, ”the president said..

Zelensky considers the current Minister of Health of Ukraine Maxim Stepanov the most durable of those who were. Also, the head of state has high hopes on Stepanov's efforts to promptly receive a vaccine against Covid-19 in Ukraine..