Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was previously dismissed from his position, publicly called for wartime elections on Tuesday, August 18. This move is seen as the biggest internal political challenge to President Zelensky’s tenure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Shortly after President Zelensky officially nominated Yevhen Khmara as the new Defense Minister, Fedorov released a video speech on YouTube. In the video, he stated, “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” emphasizing that Ukraine is fighting because “we want to continue being a free European country.”
Fedorov urged the search for a “legal, safe, and realistic mechanism” to allow Ukraine to restore its democratic process even during a prolonged war. His outspokenness has once again brought the politically sensitive issue of elections to the forefront and is seen as closing the door for his own return to the government.
Fedorov did not directly mention Zelensky in the video. He was unexpectedly dismissed in July, just about six months after being appointed as Defense Minister.
Zelensky has not yet publicly responded. A source from the President’s office told the BBC that planning elections amidst the “rampage of missiles and drones is extremely absurd. It shows a complete lack of realism.”
Several Ukrainian analysts have questioned whether it is possible to organize voting for the millions of Ukrainians who have fled the country and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the front lines.
After dismissing Fedorov, Zelensky offered him several high-level government positions, including Deputy Prime Minister, but Fedorov declined and insisted on only returning as Defense Minister.
Fedorov has been a staunch supporter of Zelensky since helping him win the presidential election in 2019. His dismissal is believed to have exposed internal divisions within the Ukrainian defense leadership and sparked consecutive days of protests across Ukraine. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the former commander of the Armed Forces who had clashed with Fedorov, was subsequently replaced by Zelensky.
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term ended in May 2024. Due to wartime martial law, national elections cannot be held according to the Ukrainian constitution. However, Kiev has faced dual pressure from Washington and Moscow to hold a new round of elections.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is currently intense. Despite occasional reports of progress on the Ukrainian frontlines, hundreds of Russian drones and missiles continue to bombard cities and towns far from the front. Local power supplies are frequently disrupted due to attacks on electricity and other energy infrastructure by the Russian military.
Zelensky revealed last week that he had formally submitted a plan to American negotiators aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He had previously stated that he is ready to hold elections as long as the United States and European allies in Kiev can guarantee the safety of the voting process.
(Reference sources: Politico, Al Jazeera, CNN, Reuters)