Fired Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov calls for wartime elections

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for elections in ukraine, arguing that the suspension of democracy was incompatible with its war goals.

Ukraine's ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections in a bombshell address, arguing the nation faced a crisis of governance, in the biggest internal challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia's invasion.

Former Ukraine Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, saying Kyiv must restore its democratic process despite the ongoing war.

While Fedorov did not say in his address that he would compete in any election, a recent poll indicated the ex-minister would comfortably beat Zelensky in a runoff vote.

"We must not let Putin decide when Ukrainians can choose their government," Mykhailo Fedorov said Tuesday evening.

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for Ukraine to develop a mechanism to hold elections during the war, arguing Russia should not be able to dictate when Ukrainian citizens vote. His remarks came hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky nominated a permanent replacement for the post.

Mykhailo Fedorov was a longtime ally of Zelenskiy's until his unexpected firing from the defence ministry in July, just six months after he had been appointed, vowing sweeping reforms.

Fedorov calls for wartime elections, says Putin shouldn't decide when Ukrainians vote  The Kyiv Independent

Aidan Stretch sits down with ousted Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov to get his take on the war with Russia as protests continue over his dismissal.