Trouble brewing for Zelenskyy? Ex-defence minister calls for wartime polls

Ukraine’s recently dismissed former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for presidential elections to be held despite the ongoing war with Russia, delivering one of the most direct political challenges to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.In a nine-minute video address posted online, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must restore a “full democratic process” even while fighting Russia. “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state,” the 35-year-old said. Although he did not name Zelenskyy, his remarks amounted to a sharp criticism of the way the country is being governed, including concerns over corruption, appointments and a lack of accountability.Fedorov’s intervention comes weeks after Zelenskyy abruptly removed him as defence minister, only six months after his appointment.