Ukraine's ex-defence minister urges wartime elections

Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for the restoration of wartime elections, a direct political challenge that came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally nominated his permanent successor. In a video address released late Tuesday evening, Fedorov argued that democracy must not be postponed until the war with Russia concludes, stating that Ukraine should devise a mechanism to hold a national vote despite ongoing hostilities.

His appeal followed Zelenskyy’s nomination of Yevhen Khmara, the acting defence minister and former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, to take the post permanently. This move effectively closed the door on any return to government for Fedorov, who was dismissed in a July reshuffle that sparked nationwide protests. Fedorov had reportedly declined several alternative senior roles offered by Zelenskyy, insisting he would only return to lead the defence ministry.

"We must not let Putin decide when Ukrainians can choose their government," Fedorov said in his speech, framing the issue as central to Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty. "Democracy is not a peacetime luxury. Democracy is part of what we are fighting for...