Ousted Ukraine Defence Minister Demands Elections Amid Ongoing War

Ukraine’s former Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has called for the country to hold elections despite the ongoing war with Russia, presenting one of the strongest internal challenges to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

In a video address released on Tuesday, Fedorov argued that Ukraine’s democracy should not be prevented from functioning because of the war. He called for the government to develop a “legal, safe and realistic mechanism” for restoring the country’s full democratic process even while fighting continues.

Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections while martial law is in force. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, no major political figure had publicly called for elections to resume during wartime.

Fedorov, 35, was a close political ally of Zelenskyy before his unexpected removal as defence minister in July, only six months after taking office.

His dismissal triggered protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, with demonstrators demanding that he be reinstated.

During his short tenure, Fedorov developed a reputation as a reform-minded official who was willing to challenge elements of Ukraine’s military establishment.

His latest comments have fuelled speculation that he could eventually emerge as a political rival to Zelenskyy.

In his address, Fedorov said Ukraine was facing a “systemic crisis of governance” and accused state institutions of being resistant to change.

He also pointed to corruption as a problem weakening the country’s ability to prosecute the war effectively.

Although he did not directly mention Zelenskyy, his comments represent a significant political challenge to the president at a time when Ukraine remains under martial law.

Zelenskyy’s presidential term officially ended in May 2024, but the presidential election was postponed because of the continuing war and martial law.

Following Fedorov’s dismissal, Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara, a career intelligence official, as acting defence minister.

The president has since asked Ukraine’s parliament to approve Khmara as the permanent holder of the position.

Fedorov was reportedly offered alternative government positions, including the role of deputy prime minister responsible for military innovation, but he has maintained that he would only return to government as defence minister.

Protests supporting Fedorov have continued in Kyiv for several weeks.

Although the demonstrations have lost some of their initial momentum, they still attract thousands of people at times.

The Ukrainian president’s office had not immediately issued a response to Fedorov’s call for elections.

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