Mihailo Fedorov, recently dismissed from his role as Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, publicly called for the organization of elections during the current wartime, in a message released Tuesday evening.
This marks a significant internal challenge for President Volodymyr Zelensky since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, according to reports from Reuters.
In a video posted on YouTube, Fedorov asserted that Ukraine is facing a “systemic governance crisis” and is in urgent need of elections, making this the first such request from a prominent political figure.
“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” Fedorov stated. “We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that allows Ukraine to fully renew its democratic process even in the context of a prolonged war,” added the former defense minister.
Current Ukrainian legislation prohibits the holding of elections during wartime.
Fedorov further criticized the entrenched political establishment, claiming that it operates by its own rules and fears change. He pointed out the corruption among officials, which he believes has hindered Ukraine’s war efforts. Recently, he suggested that his reforms concerning the Ministry of Defense’s procurement procedures, which involved billions of dollars in equipment purchases, may have contributed to his dismissal.
Dismissal Sparks Street Protests
The 35-year-old Fedorov was a longtime ally of President Zelensky, yet he was dismissed in July, just six months after his appointment, despite enjoying significant public support. His removal from office ignited street protests across Ukraine.
He was the last official to serve in all of Zelensky’s governments and ranked with the second-highest net trust level among political figures in a June poll conducted by the Kyiv International Sociology Institute, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
His supporters highlighted his role in accelerating drone acquisitions and a crucial initiative to disrupt Russian units’ access to Starlink internet services.
Zelensky has not provided a specific reason for Fedorov’s dismissal, but he indicated to reporters that he anticipates “greater unity” between the Ministry of Defense and military leaders.
