Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Calls for Elections Amid War

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for the resumption of democratic elections in Ukraine despite the ongoing war with Russia. In a video address to the people, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must find a legal and safe mechanism to hold elections so that Russia does not effectively decide when Ukrainians can choose their government. President Volodymyr Zelensky has opposed this proposal, stating that holding elections during the war would be a tsunami that would split Ukraine apart and represent an enormous risk. The call for elections follows a period of protests in Kyiv and other cities where supporters demanded Fedorov's reinstatement as defense minister. Fedorov has also raised concerns regarding corruption within the government, specifically questioning the responsibility of the presidential office and the appointment of private company employees to positions within the defense ministry. While a center leaning source frames Fedorov as a rising political force whose popularity and achievements in drone production create a serious headache for Zelensky, a center left leaning source emphasizes that his call for elections is a taboo subject that has been criticized by many Ukrainians and legal experts. According to a poll cited by the center left source, only 12 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should be held before the fighting stops. Fedorov previously served as the minister of digital transformation and is credited with accelerating drone production and coordinating with Elon Musk to restrict Russian access to Starlink.