Ukraine's recently dismissed former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, in one of the most direct political challenges to Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia's full-scale invasion began four and a half years ago.
Once a long-term ally of Mr Zelensky, Fedorov's abrupt dismissal in July triggered widespread protests across the country. The 35-year-old former Defence Ministry official had held the position for just six months.
Fedorov's video address
Yesterday evening, Mr Fedorov said in a nine-minute video address on YouTube: "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state."
Mr Fedorov, who did not mention Mr Zelensky by name in the video, said the country needs to find "a legal, safe and realistic mechanism" to restart its full democratic process "even in the conditions of a long war".
The ousted politician said: "People cannot endlessly live in a state where they do not understand why certain decisions are made. Why some reforms move forward while others are blocked.
"It is particularly dangerous when society develops the feeling that the main criterion for an appointment is not professionalism, results or the ability to transform the country, but personal loyalty to the system."
Elections postponed under martial law
Although Mr Zelensky's presidential term officially ended in May 2024, the presidential election has been postponed because martial law remains in effect.
Mr Zelensky has previously rejected holding elections while the Russian aggression against Ukraine continues, saying a vote can only be held once a ceasefire is agreed with Russia and Ukraine has "necessary security guarantees".
Ukraine regularly comes under deadly Russian fire overnight, and areas in the eastern regions of the country are currently illegally occupied by Russia. Since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, Ukraine has remained under martial law, which has prevented elections from being held.
Practical concerns over safety
Artem Bronzhukov, a Ukrainian political analyst, questioned whether it would be practical to hold elections at a time when Russian missiles and drones continue to strike.
He told the Guardian: "Today there is no clear understanding of how to ensure people's safety in the context of a full-scale war."
Widely viewed as a charismatic politician, Mr Fedorov's unexpected dismissal is believed to have resulted from tensions between him and army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Mr Fedorov has been praised for energising the armed forces and leading a drive against corruption, while Mr Syrskyi is seen as a Soviet-school commander who is reluctant to enforce radical changes to the military.
Hours before Mr Fedorov posted the video on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky formally nominated acting defence minister Yevhen Khmara. Mr Khmara's nomination has since been confirmed by Ukraine's parliament.
