Fedorov published a video address about corruption, the governance crisis, and the Ukraine we must build

Former defense minister stated that the country needs elections.

Former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov published a video address. He believes that Ukraine faces a governance crisis, and corruption poses an especially great threat due to the war. The former official is convinced that the question must be answered: how should the state function if the war lasts for years, and if the war will continue for years, “can Russia effectively obtain the right to determine when Ukrainians will again be able to elect their government.”

Essentially he stated the need to hold elections in wartime. “This is difficult,” Fedorov said, because it is necessary to ensure voting rights for service members, Ukrainians abroad, independence of electoral institutions, and trust in the results.

But, he thinks, it is not impossible. Fedorov said that the governance of the Verkhovna Rada should be built on values and principles, not on private interests in defense, the arms sector, or the gambling business. In these words, footage showed the head of the “Servant of the People” faction, Dmytro Arakhamiya.

“If you have been entrusted with power—stand for the results; if you have been entrusted with the budget—show what has been done; if you have taken a position—explain what results you have achieved,” he said.

Fedorov believes Ukraine needs to adopt a new social contract and not allow the old system to take away Ukrainians’ hope.

“Ukraine can fight and remain a democracy at the same time. Elections are not only a ballot. It is the moment when the power comes back to the citizen and says: ‘here we did this, now you decide whether you trust us further.’ And it is this moment that distinguishes a democratic state from a state where the government itself decides when society can evaluate it,” he said.

The former minister added that we should not allow Vladimir Putin to decide when Ukrainians can elect their government.

The address was published on the day the president submitted Evgeniy Khmara's candidacy to head the Ministry of Defense.

Context

In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly announced plans to refresh the government. Instead of Yulia Sviridenko, the Cabinet appointed Serhiy Koretsky, who had led Naftogaz. The president said he was the most prepared for the post of prime minister in the context of preparing for a very difficult winter. Some ministers kept their positions in the new government, but Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov did not. After seven months in office, the president decided not to nominate him for reappointment.

Initially, according to LB sources and other media, Ihor Klymenko, who headed the Interior Ministry, was considered for the Defense Ministry. Against Klymenko’s appointment amid protests, he was not nominated. The president decided he would perform the duties of defense minister as a general, head of the SBU Special Operations Center “Alpha,” Evgeniy Khmara. Khmara led the SBU in an acting capacity, and later the government appointed him acting defense minister. For a full appointment, he would need to be released from military service.

Ihor Klymenko ultimately did not obtain a new position in the government and became secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Volodymyr Zelensky held several conversations with Fedorov. The president also held numerous consultations with brigade commanders and force commanders. Since 16, protests have continued in Ukrainian cities demanding Fedorov’s return to the defense ministry.

The exact reason for the decision to replace the defense minister’s head was not communicated by the president, but he said there was a conflict between the Defense Ministry and army leadership that prevented them from coordinating. Fedorov himself accused Sirskyi of placing an ultimatum about his dismissal. The former minister said that he instead proposed to the president to replace the commander-in-chief and the chief of the General Staff.

The Armed Forces got a new commander-in-chief—Mykhailo Drahopatyi. The head of the General Staff also changed. The president offered Fedorov various positions from adviser to deputy prime minister for military innovations. However, he said he would agree only to the post of defense minister.

At the beginning of August, Fedorov said he did not hear a clear “no” from the president regarding his possible reappointment. He added that the deadline for further career decisions was set for 17-18 August—the day the Verkhovna Rada would return to work after a month-long break.

Today the Verkhovna Rada resumed plenary sessions, and the president submitted Evgeniy Khmara’s candidacy for the position of defense minister.

Topic: Elections during wartime

The question of the possibility of holding elections before the end of martial law has been raised several times. In particular, at the initiative of the United States. Currently, holding elections under martial law is not legally possible, but appropriate changes can be enacted since they do not concern the Constitution. Ukraine emphasized that it is ready for elections if a ceasefire is in place, because security is the main issue. It also remains to decide on voting for those who left Ukraine and for servicemen.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is ready to hold presidential elections if there is a two-month ceasefire. He commented on this topic in connection with questions raised by American partners about the need for elections in Ukraine: “if we can obtain a two-month ceasefire for elections, I will do everything possible to talk with the parliament and push it toward a path it does not support and that people do not support—hold elections during wartime. Because a two-month ceasefire is not the end of the war.”

Similar views were expressed by the first deputy speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Oleksandr Korniienko, who said that elections during a short-term truce are impossible.