KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥� Ukraine鈥檚 called Tuesday for elections to be held even as the continues, saying the country was gripped by a crisis of governance.
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鈥檚 full-scale invasion.
The appeal came in a video address posted to YouTube by Fedorov, who lost his post in July.
鈥淲e must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war,鈥� Fedorov said.
Zelenskyy鈥檚 office did not immediately comment on Fedorov鈥檚 address.
Ukrainian law prohibits elections while the country is under martial law, which was imposed on Feb. 24, 2022, the day that the Russian invasion began.
Fedorov said the country was facing a systemic crisis in how it is governed, arguing the current system is oriented toward protecting itself and resisting change. He also condemned corruption among officials without naming anyone, saying it had weakened Ukraine鈥檚 ability to fight the war.
Fedorov has said he believes a factor in his removal was an overhaul he led of the Defense Ministry鈥檚 procurement system, which oversees billions of dollars in equipment purchases.
鈥淐orruption in wartime is not merely a financial issue. It is a matter of our capability to survive and win,鈥� said Fedorov. 鈥淓very single hryvnia intended for defense must work for defense. Not for a private pocket.鈥�
Fedorov released the address hours after Ukraine鈥檚 Parliament received a submission from Zelenskyy nominating Yevhenii Khmara to be the new defense minister, Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on Facebook Tuesday.
Large crowds of protesters have in support of Fedorov over the past month following his abrupt dismissal. The demonstrations have lost some of their initial force but still draw crowds of thousands during weekend marches, with demonstrators carrying handmade signs demanding Zelenskyy reinstate Fedorov.
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