Fired Ukraine Minister Fedorov Calls for Elections Despite War

Ukraine's former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, called Tuesday for elections to be held despite the country's ongoing war with Russia, marking what is seen as the most significant public challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's authority since the invasion began.

President Zelenskyy imposed martial law when Russian forces invaded in February 2022, a measure that bars elections from taking place. In a video posted to YouTube, Fedorov said, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," and called for a "legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amidst a prolonged war."

"We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state," he added.

Before his removal last month, Fedorov had helped shape Ukraine's strategy of using drones and robots to counter Russia's larger military, and he was credited with increasing Ukraine's strikes deep into Russian territory tenfold while strengthening the country's domestic weapons arsenal.

Zelenskyy fired Fedorov in mid-July, citing an unresolvable dispute between him and Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi. The dismissal triggered weeks of protests across the country from people criticizing the removal of the widely respected minister.

In an interview with CBS News days before his public call for elections, Fedorov said the protests over his ouster showed that Ukrainians support democratic values and are fighting for their freedom.

Fedorov did not detail his own political plans in the video, though he has previously said he would return to government only as defense minister. He acknowledged the practical challenges of holding a vote during wartime, including how to ensure ballots reach soldiers, residents near the front line and Ukrainians who have fled the country.

"This is complex. ... But complexity does not mean impossibility," he said.