Ukraine Ex-Defence Minister Calls For Elections Amid Growing Rift With Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for the country to hold elections despite the ongoing war with Russia, posing a major political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Al Jazeera reported that Fedorov made the call in a video address posted on YouTube on Tuesday, arguing that Ukraine must restore its democratic process despite the continuing conflict.

Fedorov said democracy in Ukraine “cannot be held hostage by Russia” and called for “a legal, safe and realistic mechanism” to restart the country’s full democratic process “even in the conditions of a long war”.

Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections under martial law, which has remained in place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Fedorov, 35, had been a longtime ally of Zelenskyy before his unexpected removal as defence minister in July, only six months after taking up the position.

His dismissal triggered protests across Ukraine, while his brief tenure had established him as a reform-minded official who was prepared to challenge elements of the military establishment.

His removal has been widely linked to tensions with armed forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii, who was himself replaced weeks later following sustained public pressure and demonstrations calling for Fedorov to be reinstated.

Read Also: Ukraine Drone Strike Kills 13 In Russia, Injures 75

In his latest address, Fedorov accused Ukraine of facing a “systemic crisis of governance”, saying some institutions are “scared of change”. He also pointed to corruption as a factor weakening the country’s war effort, although he did not directly mention Zelenskyy.

Fedorov’s intervention marks the first public call for elections from a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

Zelenskyy’s presidential term officially ended in May 2024, but elections have been postponed because martial law remains in force.

The president’s office had not issued a response to Fedorov’s remarks at the time of the report.

Zelenskyy has since appointed Yevhenii Khmara, a career intelligence official with limited public exposure, as acting defence minister.

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

Hours before Fedorov’s address, Zelenskyy confirmed that he had asked parliament to approve Khmara’s appointment on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, protests supporting Fedorov have continued in Kyiv for about a month. Although attendance has declined from the early demonstrations, the gatherings still regularly attract thousands of people.