The dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister calls for elections
Zelensky removed Fedorov from the government a month ago with strong opposition in the street
BarcelonaMikhailo Fédorov, former Minister of Defense of Ukraine, has called for presidential elections to be held, currently prohibited by martial law imposed as a result of the war. He argues that democracy "cannot be a hostage of Russia" and that Ukraine is fighting "precisely to continue being a free and democratic European state". The former minister's stance represents one of the most significant political challenges for Zelenski, especially since Fédorov is a reformist who already gained popularity during his brief tenure as minister. His dismissal generated massive protests in Ukrainian streets that are still ongoing.The former minister called on Tuesday to call elections via YouTube, the same day that Zelensky formally appointed Yevhen Khmara as his successor at the Ministry of Defense. This Wednesday, the Ukrainian Parliament ratified him, along with the new Foreign Minister, Andriy Sibyha. Federov was dismissed in mid-July, just six months after his appointment, due to tensions within the military leadership, especially with the Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirski.
Corruption besieges Zelensky
The former minister's claim comes at a time when the Ukrainian government is also being besieged by the shadow of corruption. This Wednesday, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) reported on a special operation to "dismantle a criminal organization acting under the direction of a deputy and a former deputy, with the participation of high-ranking officials from the Office of the President and others".
As part of the operation, searches were carried out at the homes of deputy Vadim Stolar and Irina Mudra, deputy director of the Presidential Office, who was just dismissed from her post this Wednesday, according to a presidential decree officially published on the government's website. The scandal represents a destabilizing situation for Zelensky, but clearly beneficial for Fedorov, who is credited with a prominent role in the fight against corruption.