Ukraine’s ousted defense minister calls for wartime presidential elections

Ukraine's recently ousted Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has issued a public appeal for presidential elections to be held despite the ongoing martial law. In a video address delivered on Tuesday, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must reinstate its full democratic processes, asserting that its democracy should not be compromised or held captive by Russia. He criticized the current governance, suggesting issues with corruption and a focus on personal loyalty over professional merit within the system.

Fedorov's call represents the most direct political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. His dismissal last month, after serving approximately six months, followed a dispute with military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi. While Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022, Zelenskyy's five-year term concluded in May 2024, and the scheduled elections were postponed.

The proposal comes as Zelenskyy's office had no immediate public comment. Although Ukrainian law currently forbids wartime elections, the issue has been a subject of international discussion, with former US President Donald Trump having previously called for Ukraine to hold a vote. The feasibility and safety of holding elections amidst ongoing conflict and Russian bombardment remain a significant concern.