Fired Ukraine Minister Fedorov Demands Wartime Elections
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- Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former Defence Minister, called for wartime elections in a YouTube address on Tuesday — the first such demand by a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion.
- Fedorov was fired from the Defence Ministry in July after just six months in the role, sparking protests that have continued for a month and still draw "a couple thousand" attendees in Kyiv.
- President Zelenskyy installed Yevhenii Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low public profile, as acting defence minister, with parliament set to confirm him Wednesday — hours before Fedorov's address; Zelenskyy's term ended in May 2024 but elections are barred under martial law.
- Fedorov argued democracy "cannot be held hostage by Russia" and said Ukraine needs to find "a legal, safe and realistic mechanism" to restart its full democratic process even during a long war.
- Fedorov warned of a "systemic crisis of governance," pointing to institutions "scared of change" and corruption undermining the war effort, though he did not name Zelenskyy.
- Oleksandr Syrskii, the armed forces commander-in-chief, was replaced weeks after Fedorov's firing following sustained public pressure and weeks of demonstrations calling for Fedorov's reinstatement.
- Fedorov was reportedly offered other roles, including deputy prime minister for military innovation, but has said he would only return as defence minister.
Why it matters: Fedorov's call lands hours before parliament confirms Khmara as defence minister, sharpening pressure on Zelenskyy, whose term expired in May 2024 and whose office has yet to respond. Whoever defines the "legal, safe and realistic mechanism" for wartime elections — a phrase Fedorov himself admits doesn't yet exist — will shape Ukraine's post-war legitimacy.
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