Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Calls for Wartime Elections
4 sources across 4 countries · Brazil · France · Latvia · Ukraine
Who reported this
- G1
- France 24
- Meduza
- Kyiv Independent
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has publicly called for the organization of elections despite the ongoing war with Russia. In a video address published on August 18, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must establish a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism to restore the democratic process, stating that Vladimir Putin should not decide when Ukrainians choose their government. This call follows Fedorov's dismissal from his post in July, which sparked nationwide protests and led to the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as the new Minister of Defense. A source from President Volodymyr Zelensky's office dismissed Fedorov's demands as unrealistic, describing the idea of planning elections amidst missile and drone attacks as bizarre. While some reports indicate that Zelensky's team had previously discussed the possibility of elections in mid 2026, the president ultimately opted against them. The debate remains highly controversial. Some military personnel and civil society members argue that elections are impossible due to security risks and the inability of soldiers and displaced persons to vote. Others suggest that the demand for elections reflects a growing desire for transparency in government personnel policy and a response to corruption investigations. In Russia, similar political pressures are mounting as the economy suffers and public support for the war reaches its lowest level since the invasion began.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets emphasized the broader political pressure on both Zelensky and Putin, highlighting social unrest and economic desgaste.
- Centre
- These outlets focused on the political rivalry between Fedorov and Zelensky and the breaking of a wartime taboo.
Sources
- Centre France 24: Ukraine: Yevhenii Khmara appointed Minister of Defense
- Centre France 24: Ukraine: Fedorov demands elections to "restore democracy"
- Centre France 24: Mykhaïlo Fedorov, the former ally of Volodymyr Zelensky who became his political rival
- Centre-left G1: More than 4 years of war put political pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin
- Centre Kyiv Independent: Putin shouldn't decide when Ukraine votes — but political ambition shouldn't either
- Centre Kyiv Independent: Fedorov broke Ukraine's wartime election taboo. What happens next?
- Centre Kyiv Independent: 'I'm skeptical' — Ukrainian soldiers react to Fedorov's bombshell election video
- Centre-left Meduza: Zelensky’s office calls former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s demand for wartime elections unrealistic
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.