Ex-defence chief’s call for wartime election raises pressure on Zelenskyy | Russia-Ukraine war News
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine’s former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has once again stirred the nation’s political landscape following his dismissal in July. The 35-year-old technocrat, who lacked military experience prior to his appointment, received commendation for his innovative strategies while serving from January to July.
Although Fedorov was not directly involved in combat operations, he played a crucial role in logistical efforts, technological advancements, anticorruption initiatives, and negotiations with Western allies for support. His tenure was marked by significant achievements, including orchestrating cyberattacks and a campaign that disrupted Russian supply chains through targeted drone and missile strikes.
His tenure came to an abrupt end when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Fedorov’s mentor, dismissed him following an escalating rift with General Oleksandr Syrskii.
Since his departure, Fedorov has reaffirmed his loyalty to Zelenskyy and has turned down opportunities, including a proposed role as a presidential aide focused on reforms. He has also reportedly declined an offer from Palantir Technologies, a U.S.-based software firm that began its collaboration with Ukraine’s military during Fedorov’s time in office.
In a recent YouTube address, Fedorov called for presidential elections, questioning how a state should operate amid a prolonged conflict. He asserted that democracy should not be held hostage by Russia’s actions.
“Can Russia actually be entitled to define when Ukrainians can elect their authorities next time? I’m sure it’s not,” he said in the nine-minute video.
Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed support for Fedorov’s call for elections, stating that delaying the vote until the war concludes would not result in a more civilized political process. Kuleba noted that maintaining the same political structure for potentially several more years would be unsustainable.
Polls indicate that Fedorov is seen as a trusted figure in the potential presidential landscape, with 63 percent of Ukrainians expressing confidence in him, slightly trailing former general Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who has 66 percent approval. President Zelenskyy holds 56 percent support, reflecting growing discontent with his administration’s challenges, including corruption scandals involving key allies.
Public sentiment is building around Fedorov’s leadership potential. “Fedorov is clean; he hasn’t been involved in any scandals,” said Tetiana Baybachenko, a Kyiv resident. “He has already changed the way we’re dealing with bureaucracy,” referencing the introduction of the Diia app, which streamlines various administrative processes.
Despite this support, experts caution that conducting elections during the ongoing conflict presents serious challenges. Olexiy Haran, a professor at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, highlighted constitutional prohibitions against voting during wartime and emphasized security concerns related to election campaigns.
“Election campaigns take months and require public engagement that could be targeted by Russian attacks,” Haran said.
Svetlana Chunikhina, vice president of the Association of Political Psychologists of Ukraine, criticized Fedorov’s timing, suggesting that the push for elections amid war reflects a misunderstanding of the current political climate.
Political analysts indicate that Fedorov’s recent engagement with electoral discussions may reflect deeper issues within Zelenskyy’s administration. While the president achieved high popularity in 2019, his party has faced allegations of corruption that have since eroded public trust in government institutions.
“The president has accumulated enough popularity and trust, but there is growing discreditation of state institutions,” said analyst Igar Tyshkevych. He added that while Zelenskyy has attempted various governmental reshuffles, no effective solutions have been found, resulting in a precarious political environment.
Additionally, some observers argue that Fedorov’s refusal to accept roles within Zelenskyy’s administration signals a political immaturity, suggesting that he confuses personal grievances with national priorities. “A statesman must distinguish his own defeat from that of the nation,” said Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat turned critic of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
As Ukraine continues to grapple with the realities of war, the discussion surrounding elections remains complex and contentious.
