Ukrainians marched for a month to get Mykhailo Fedorov his job back as defense minister. Then he released a video calling for elections, and the crowds stopped coming.
Ukraine's former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was ousted and then called for elections, has sparked controversy. Thousands of Ukrainians had protested for a month to get him his job back, but the crowds dispersed after his video call for elections. President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of holding elections during wartime, citing concerns it would 'destroy' Ukraine.
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- ✓ Mykhailo Fedorov was ousted as Defense Minister and then called for elections.
- ✓ Thousands of Ukrainians protested for a month to get Fedorov his job back.
- ✓ President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of holding elections during wartime.
- ✓ Zelensky believes holding elections during wartime would 'destroy' Ukraine.
What changed
Fedorov's call for elections has led to a rift with Zelensky, who has expressed concerns about the feasibility and timing of such a move.
Live updates
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Ukraine's ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov calls for elections
Ukraine's former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was ousted and then called for elections, has sparked controversy. Thousands of Ukrainians had protested for a month to get him his job back, but the crowds dispersed after his video call for elections. President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of holding elections during wartime, citing concerns it would 'destroy' Ukraine.
Why it matters
The situation is significant as Ukraine is currently at war with Russia and is facing internal political tensions. The call for elections by Fedorov has divided opinion, with some supporting the idea as a way to restore democracy and others seeing it as a threat to stability. Zelensky's rejection of the idea has also sparked debate.
What is confirmed
- Mykhailo Fedorov was ousted as Defense Minister and then called for elections.
- Thousands of Ukrainians protested for a month to get Fedorov his job back.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of holding elections during wartime.
- Zelensky believes holding elections during wartime would 'destroy' Ukraine.
Still unconfirmed
- Fedorov's call for elections was seen as a challenge to Zelensky's leadership.
What to watch next
- Zelensky's next steps on addressing corruption and internal political tensions
- The reaction of the Ukrainian parliament to Fedorov's call for elections
- The impact of the controversy on Ukraine's war effort and relations with Russia
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (15)
- The Economist — An ex-minister calls on Volodymyr Zelensky to hold elections
- BBC — Zelensky has 'questions to answer' on corruption, Mykhailo Fedorov says
- The New York Times — Zelensky Says His Ex-Defense Minister Was Wrong to Call for Elections
- PBS — Zelenskyy details rift with Ukraine's dismissed defense minister Fedorov
- Time Magazine — A ‘Tsunami’ for Ukraine: Zelensky Rejects Wartime Elections
- The Hill — Zelensky says wartime election would ‘destroy’ Ukraine
- Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine needs changes to avoid losing war, ousted defence minister says
- Meduza — Ukrainians marched for a month to get Mykhailo Fedorov his job back as defense minister. Then he released a video calling for elections, and the crowds stopped coming.
- War on the Rocks — Would Wartime Elections Save Democracy or End It?
- Reuters — Kremlin says ousted Ukrainian defence minister's remarks show Kyiv is consumed by infighting
- Defense News — Ukraine needs changes to avoid losing war, ousted defense minister says
- Foreign Policy — Ukrainians Skeptical as Former Defense Minister Pushes for Elections
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