Fedorov challenges Zelensky and calls for presidential elections

Former Defense Minister of Ukraine,Mykhailo Fedorovasked for the carrying out ofpresidential electionsin the country despite the war, launching one of the most significant political challenges to the presidentVolodymyr Zelenskysince the beginning of the conflict.

In a speech published on his YouTube channel, Fedorov argued that the country can continue to fight against Russia without giving up the democratic process. “Ukraine can simultaneously fight and remain a democracy,” the former minister said. “We must not allow Putin to decide when Ukrainians can choose their own government.” “Theredemocracyit cannot be held hostage by Russia. We fight precisely because we want to remain a free European state. Therefore, we must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that would allow Ukraine to restore a full-fledged democratic process even in the event of a protracted war,” the former minister said, adding that democracy “is part of what we are fighting for today.”

The right to vote during the war

Fedorov drew attention to the need to ensure theright to voteto the military, to millions of Ukrainians abroad and to people living in front-line regions. Among the mandatory conditions Fedorov placed the security of the electoral process, the independence of the institutions and confidence in the result. According to the former minister, Ukraine has done many times what the world considered impossible, so it can find a solution in this situation too. “People cannot live indefinitely in a situation where they do not know why certain decisions are made, why some reforms go forward while others are blocked, why decisions needed today on the front line are debated in governments for months,” he said. Otherwise, he concluded, the idea can be spread that the main criterion for selecting officials is not professionalism, but rather loyalty to the system. “A modern state cannot function this way.”

The appointment of the new Defense Minister

Fedorov’s statements came just hours after Zelensky formally nominatedYevhen Khmaraacting defense minister, to fill the post permanently, following months of protests calling for Fedorov’s reinstatement. Khmara’s nomination must be approved by parliament, and the confirmation vote is expected as early as tomorrow.

The protests and refusal of other positions

Zelensky fired Fedorov during agovernment reshuffleearlier this year, a decision that sparked protests across the country. Fedorov has since rejected other government positions offered by the Ukrainian president, reiterating that he would return only as defense minister.