Ukraine's former defence minister calls for wartime presidential elections

Ukraine’s former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, urged the nation to hold presidential elections on Tuesday evening, citing a “crisis of governance.” Fedorov was dismissed from his post in late July, a decision that triggered widespread protests across the country. His call marks the first instance since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022 that a Ukrainian political figure has demanded a new presidential vote.

The call comes amid growing public frustration over the government’s handling of the war effort and the economy. Fedorov’s statement, delivered from a public rally in Kyiv, stresses that the current leadership has lost legitimacy and that a new election would restore confidence and strengthen civilian control. Opposition parties and civil‑society groups have expressed varying degrees of support, while the ruling administration has yet to respond formally.

If the call gains traction, Ukraine could face a significant political shift before the scheduled parliamentary elections. Analysts note that any move toward a new presidential vote would require swift legislative action and could alter the balance of power between the executive and the legislature. The situation remains fluid as the country navigates its ongoing conflict and domestic political challenges.