Ukraine’s ousted defence minister challenges Zelensky and calls for wartime elections
Ukraine’s former defence minister has called for wartime elections in a direct challenge to president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, whose ouster as defence chief in July triggered major protests in the country, issued the call in a video address shared on YouTube.
“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to renew its full democratic process even in the conditions of a long war,” he said.
Mr Zelensky has refused to hold elections in wartime, saying a vote can only be held once a ceasefire is agreed with Russia and Ukraine has “necessary security guarantees” in place.
In an open challenge to the president, Mr Fedorov said Ukraine faced a “systemic crisis of governance”.
“The old system lives by its own rules too often. It protects itself. It is scared of change,” he said.
Mr Fedorov’s remarks came just hours after Mr Zelensky said he had asked the parliament to confirm Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister on Wednesday.
While Mr Fedorov didn’t mention if he would compete in any election, a recent poll indicated that the former minister would comfortably beat the president if they went head-to-head.
“Our people have long been ready for a different country,” Mr Fedorov said in his address. “Now, our state must become worthy of its people.”
Without naming names, Mr Fedorov also condemned corruption in government, which he said had hurt Ukraine’s war effort.
Mr Fedorov was regarded as an ally of Mr Zelensky until his unexpected firing in July. He had taken over just six months earlier, vowing sweeping reforms.
Shortly after his dismissal, he publicly tore into the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, exposing a bitter rift between the men and their visions for conducting the war.
Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets to demand the sacking of General Syrskyi, who was blamed by his critics for heavy troop losses on the frontline, and Mr Fedorov’s reinstatement.
Although Mr Zelensky said he had dismissed Mr Fedorov because of his inability to work with General Syrskyi, the president also fired his military chief shortly afterwards due to mounting public pressure.
