Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s recently removed defence minister, calls for a presidential election to be held during wartime, framing the move as a response to a governance crisis. Fedorov delivers the proposal in a video address released online, challenging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in what multiple outlets describe as a direct political challenge since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The reports note that Fedorov’s dismissal last month has drawn protests, and his statement is presented as an appeal to restore “full democratic process” despite the ongoing war. Outlets differ on emphasis: the Financial Times and the Globe and Mail focus on the political nature of his challenge to Zelenskyy, while the Guardian highlights it as the most direct such challenge since the invasion. The Jerusalem Post additionally points to a recent poll suggesting Fedorov would beat Zelenskyy in a runoff, while also saying Fedorov does not explicitly state he would run in any election.
Overall, sources agree that the call for a wartime election is the central development and that it follows Fedorov’s abrupt removal from office, but they vary in how they characterize the likelihood of an election and Fedorov’s personal intentions.
