Ukrainian Defense Minister Calls for Wartime Elections Amid Allegations of Corruption
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KYIV, Ukraine — Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s recently ousted defense minister and one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s longest-serving political allies, has called for wartime elections, signaling his clearest break yet with the administration that launched his political career.
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Associated PressKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called Tuesday for elections to be held even as the war against Russia continues, saying the country was gripped by a crisis of governance.
Washington ExaminerUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, demanded the country hold new elections, mounting a direct political challenge to his former boss.
BBC NewsUkraine's popular ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, in what has been seen as a major challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
New York TimesUkraine’s Ex-Defense Minister Calls for Election, Cementing Break With Zelensky Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular young leader who was fired last month, said Russia should not be allowed to dictate when Ukrainians can choose their next government.
ReutersUkraine's parliament approves Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister - Reuters Ukraine's parliament approves Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister Reuters
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Yet the speech went far beyond election logistics: Without mentioning Mr. Zelenskyy by name, Mr. Fedorov attacked corruption, opaque decision-making and a system in which loyalty is rewarded over competence.
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Washington ExaminerWhile Fedorov hasn’t spoken directly about any intention of running for office, his rhetoric in the video left little doubt as to his views, calling for sweeping reforms and bemoaning the state of corruption in the country.
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“Corruption in wartime is not merely a financial issue. It is a matter of our capability to survive and win,” said Fedorov. “Every single hryvnia intended for defense must work for defense. Not for a private pocket.”
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Washington Times“The old system lives by its own rules too often. It protects itself. It is scared of change,” he said, arguing that corruption during wartime directly deprives the military of resources needed to fight Russia.
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On Wednesday, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies announced a major investigation involving current and former officials and alleged laundering of roughly $3 million. Mr. Zelenskyy fired Iryna Mudra, a deputy head of the presidential office, after investigators searched her home. She has not been publicly named as a suspect, and investigators have not implicated Mr. Zelenskyy.
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01 Washington Examiner The timing of Fedorov’s message was no coincidence, coming right after Parliament returned from its monthlong recess, which started abruptly with his firing. The former Zelensky ally appears to be coordinating his responses to maximize their political impact, especially in the eyes of his Western allies.
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02 BBC News A former minister of digital transformation, Fedorov set up a volunteer "IT Army of Ukraine" to launch cyber-attacks against Russians in the early days after its full-scale invasion.
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03 Washington Times “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” the 35-year-old former minister said. “We must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to renew its full democratic process even in the conditions of a long war.”
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04 Associated Press The move by one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s most loyal and longstanding team members until recently could become the most significant internal challenge Zelenskyy has faced since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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- reuters