Ukraine elections urged by sacked ex-defence minister

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was sacked last month, called on August 18 for Ukraine to find a way to hold elections that have been postponed because of Russia's invasion.

Ukraine imposed martial law when Russian forces crossed the border in February 2022, and military rule prohibits holding elections.

“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” Fedorov said in a video posted to YouTube. He said Ukraine was fighting because it wanted to remain a free European state.

Fedorov said Ukraine must find a “legal, safe, and realistic mechanism” to restore a full democratic process during a prolonged war. He acknowledged obstacles to holding a vote, including how to ensure soldiers, people living near the front line and millions of Ukrainians abroad can cast ballots.

“This is complex,” he said. “But complexity does not mean impossibility.”

Fedorov was appointed defence minister in January and sought to reform a military affected by scandals over corruption, equipment shortages, absenteeism, the treatment of conscripts and an unpopular mobilisation drive.

His dismissal in July triggered weeks of protests and put pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky, who then replaced army chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

Fedorov gave no indication of his political plans in the video. He has repeatedly said he would only return to the government as defence minister.

Zelensky has since appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low political profile, as acting defence minister pending a vote in parliament.

Fedorov's former adviser Sergiy Sternenko said another demonstration in support of Fedorov was scheduled outside parliament on August 19.