*** Sacked Ukraine Defence Minister Calls for Presidential Elections Amid War | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Sacked Ukraine Defence Minister Calls for Presidential Elections Amid War

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Kyiv: Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for presidential elections despite the ongoing war with Russia, posing a huge political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a video message, Fedorov stated that Ukraine must establish a ‘legal, safe, and realistic mechanism’ to restore the democratic process, stressing that democracy should not be held hostage by Russia.

Fedorov, who was fired as defence minister in July after six months in office, also said that Ukraine was experiencing a systemic crisis of governance, citing corruption and resistance to changes.

Presidential elections have been postponed since 2024 due to martial law, which prevents voting during military operations. Fedorov's demand is the first from a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia's full-fledged invasion in 2022.