Ex-defence chief’s call for wartime election raises pressure on Zelenskyy

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Ukraine’s ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has intensified political pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by calling for a presidential election during the war. Fedorov, a 35-year-old technocrat who served in senior government roles and was dismissed in July after a dispute involving top military leadership, made the appeal in a YouTube video and argued that Russia should not determine when Ukrainians vote again. He has remained publicly loyal to Zelenskyy despite his firing.

The debate comes as Ukraine faces almost daily Russian missile and drone attacks, making campaign activity and nationwide voting difficult. Al Jazeera notes that Ukraine’s constitution bars elections during wartime, and analysts cited by the outlet said a vote would likely require a stable truce before it could be safely organised. The article also points to the scale of the conflict, with millions displaced and large numbers mobilised into the armed forces.

Fedorov’s call appears to reflect broader dissatisfaction with Ukraine’s political establishment. He remains one of the country’s more trusted public figures, while Zelenskyy’s approval has been affected by corruption scandals involving allies and strain within his governing team. Supporters say Fedorov helped modernise bureaucracy, especially through digital tools such as the Diia app, while critics warn that wartime elections are unrealistic and could weaken national unity.