Ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov calls for wartime elections
Whether elections should happen in Ukraine during wartime is an answer best left to Ukrainians; we’ll support their decision either way.
Diamond Life5Zelensky needs a rest. But it is up to The Ukrainians. He will forever be remembered as a hero!!!
Captain Incredible4Are the Ukrainians having an election to decide whether or not to have elections? Just curious how "Ukrainians" will be reaching this decision
My name is Steve! 💙❤️ Fight 👉 Win!2No. People often take the wrong decisions under stress or attack. Please help Ukraine 🇺🇦 win this war. It’s for all of us. 🫶🏻
Anyone pushing for wartime elections in Ukraine needs to explain the logistics. How do you include frontline troops and ensure occupied regions can vote? How do you protect voters from strikes? How do you keep Russia from weaponizing the chaos to weaken and divide Ukraine?
world-of-peace.bsky.social16And what about the war refugees? Around 5.7 million Ukrainian citizens are currently abroad as a result of the war. According to the UNHCR and official figures from Ukrainian authorities, this is the current number of registered war refugees. And what about the prisoners of war? WAR = NO ELECTIONS!
Nick25 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇦13Seems like Fedorov is making some political missteps here and proving Zelensk'ys decision to be correct. Maybe he should stick to the technical for now.
Invicta11I say it once again. It was Putin who urged Ukraine to get elections. Trump supported that,bc it was an opportunity to interfere. And now Federov asks for it!!! He know its impossible! Why is he asking this? Give ruSSia an opportunity? I'm worried about this clash ,and the hard winter will come.
Rita Harrison 8Federov is likely very miffed to try and call for elections in the middle of an existential war. He is not thinking straight.
Blackbeardsghost6He's really lost the run of himself a bit here. This is an absurd position to take, and helps no one
westerness.bsky.social3He is having a massive ego meltdown, reflecting poorly on his age cohort. He needs to go straight to shut the fuck up. There are proper channels for requesting things like elections, namely congress.
"With his latest statement, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appears to have reinvigorated a dangerous debate about elections in wartime Ukraine," writes Olga Aivazovska, Head of the Board of the Civil Network OPORA, in this op-ed.
The Kyiv Independent84"Elections that are neither free nor fair will undermine legitimacy. And elections without adequate protection will be a gift to the Russians," she adds.
fry692This is a dangerous game Fedorov plays. I do not think it is helpful for Ukraine. Not that Zelenskyy is a saint when it comes to political decisions.
Anita White2Having an election now will be Putin’s wish. It’s a gift that will cost so much.
Danny de Vreede1Perhaps Fedorov is influenced by Musk and Trump (who seem to be linked to Putin)?
Submariner 1011He deserves everyone’s gratitude and respect for his past roll. Sadly he has now shown his true colours . He is acting like a bitter immature child. It’s time for the grownups to move on and ignore his bitching. Defeating Russia is the Goal, not playing Fedorov’s game! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
allenidaho.bsky.social1There is no debate to be had. The Ukraine Constitution does not allow elections during a war until martial law is lifted.
How long can a democracy at war suspend elections? That's what Mykhailo Fedorov, the recently sacked defense minister, asked in an explosive video posted last night, where Fedorov stated that the resolution of this war can only come after Ukrainians choose new govt. english.nv.ua/nation/fedor...
Romeo Kokriatski47Reactions have been, at best, mixed, with many of the pro-Fedorov protestors denouncing his address on social media following the video. As one protestor put it, they went out to get Fedorov's job back, not put him in the big chair.
Clemens47It's not for me to decide (I'm not Ukrainian) but Fedorov's closeness to Musk and other tech bros make me worried. It's obvious that there is no way to organise a general election right now. It also seems he is motivated largely by personal ambition rather than the common good.
Ukrainian bandersnatch25I have never seen anyone fumble their whole aura so quickly
Otohiko2Just hypothetically, if there was an election (only in unoccupied parts of Ukraine) - who would be most likely to win? As a non-Ukrainian, it's really hard to parse these things. There's always rumblings about people like Zaluzhnyi gunning for the seat, but is there actually a realistic prospect?
Jerome van Passel1And who is paying Fedorov?
philliptemple.bsky.social1First Fedorov throws a huge strop, trying to dictate terms to Zelensky and demanding head of the MoD back, and now in a fit of pique he's trying to take down the Ukrainian government. What an arse. Even the government critics are against him and his wrecking ball against the Constitution.
Reactions to Fedorov calling for elections during wartime have not been positive. Even Fedorov's supporters are shocked and disappointed he would do this.
Jake Broe26Full update video here: youtu.be/Xiu_dKgbSMY
Kiwi Medic 🏥 🇧🇷11Fedorov is WRONG to call for elections in Ukraine during this war. He is disloyal. Martial law and the constitution prohibit this and it would not be a viable option. Fedorov is sewing disunity and MuskZ talking points. Give the new Ministers our support and onwards to defeat evil ruzzia.
rogue_corq6If the rumors are true about him joining Palantir, that's suspect.
Abandon All Hope5I was one of the many that questioned his dismissal, but apparently it was the right move.
FellaGreg2I remember early 2022, Zelensky warning that Ukraine would face and fight the invaders, that video of him and ministers saying “we’re still here.” Inspirational courage. Zelensky deserves the respect in Ukraine that he has won outside it. To seek elections now is disloyal imho.
LLFella 🇨🇦 🇺🇦1Fedorov is not to be trusted
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has launched a sweeping political broadside against Volodymyr Zelenskyy, warning the president that rampant corruption is undermining the country’s ability to fight Russia and calling for extraordinary wartime elections. www.ft.com/content/7bf7...
🇨🇦Stéphane Prévost-Fella21As a CFE, I can testify that corruption can be deterred without calling for wartime elections, unless this move by him is a hint that the president himself is part of the corruption, in which case, he should have clear evidence to present. Otherwise, Big Ego Boy should STFU.
innhverfur.bsky.social7He was nervous when asked about his communications with Musk and "keeping communication open" in that regard. Then there is the matter of the Ukrainian constitution. The combined situation makes me wary.
Stef_Soren5I suppose he knows his own constitution. No elections under Martial Law? Now he acts like a spoiled teen and pushing the ruzzian narrative. Shame on you Federov - grow up!
Валера | Valera 4Hey, @data.ft.com @financialtimes.com , Martial law in Ukraine is as old as 2015, and it took effect not "after" but due to "Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022". Learn some basics before saying something. Thr Ukrainian constitution also says that war on Ukraine prohibits elections.
Валера | Valera 4@b21raider.bsky.social as suspected. In retaliation, he just went on to surrender himself to Pütin-Trump. Or even that's why was was fired for
Валера | Valera 2Elections were due in 2024. You don't wait for 2 years and call for elections only when you're ousted from a minister.
Right on cue - protests outside Ukraine's parliament, the Rada, in favour of Mykhailo Fedorov. They are demanding MPs strike down the appointment of his successor Yevhen Khmara. I should add no slur on Khmara. A good soldier, but this crowd wants him to remain a military man.
Tim White77The overnight air-defence report doesn't add up! Russia launched 2 ballistic missiles (which hit Kharkiv region), plus 65 "Banderol" small missiles/long-range attack drones, which = 67 Ukraine says air defence shot down 2 Banderol + 56 UAVs = 58. Yet there were 10 hits = 68
youngcrone.bsky.social2This all seems pretty damn suspicious, indeed. Destabilizing as if, Constitution there aside, you can have such elections with so much of the country occupied and I really don't like the other moves Trump, Putin, and now Musk have been making right now.
Lill2Please comment on Fedorov's thinking about visiting the US. Musk? Trump? 🤢 kyivindependent.com/exclusive-di...
VOICES UNFILTERED 🇺🇦 For weeks, Fedorov let the political vacuum work for him, then came YouTube. Calling for wartime elections and a “systemic crisis of governance” changes everything. With the Rada set to move on, has he just shot himself in the foot? shaunpinner.substack.com/p/fedorov-ca...
Little Fury Fellah14Yeah, he isn’t helping. We need to stick together while the war is on. Also, he seems to have a very Inflated sense of his own irreplaceabilit - not a healthy leadership trait.
Andy WooHoo12He has shown his real intentions, this I warned about for over a month now or however long it took since he started his "online crying" and taking credit for everything. So, who is behind him, look for that and you might get an answer to a lot of questions.
Bilecky8Now is not the time for Fedorov to be sowing discord amongst Ukrainians. He has certain talents which may help Ukraine. Ffs - be part of a team. Have some humility & contribute to a common cause. After victory he can present his credentials for an election or persue personal enterprises.
Steve8I'm not Ukrainian or in Ukraine, so what I and others like me think doesn't really matter, but it is very striking that he now sounds like the Kremlin and some MAGAs. If I were Ukrainian I would be wondering why that is.
Deborah2Who got to Fedorov? He is way out of line now. Watch him..
stillesich2The mad, toxic Ex 🙄 Or maybe just the bitch of Musk
Ukraine’s popular former defense minister has called for wartime elections in Ukraine, setting up a potential confrontation with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who fired him last month.
dave48.bsky.social2True, but it could intefere with foreign aid & defensive weapons.
R.I.P GDPR2How many times is @nytimes.com going to spam this story. Once is sufficient in my feed
Precious Larue1As I recall, Zelenskyy doesn't object to elections but their constitution prohibits it during war. Which makes sense.
Benjamin Husstad-Nedberg17This is a big mistake by Fedorov. It’s illegal to hold elections during war, it’s impossible in practice, and it plays straight into the Russian propaganda aimed at undermining Ukraine’s political legitimacy. This makes me very suspicious of Fedorov’s credibility. Very disappointing.
rebel2883Opinion: Something about this doesn't smell right. #Zelensky got #Ukraine this far, now this guy's ego is hurt b/c he was fired? Shouldn't it be about what's best for Ukraine - not about some ambitious guy's outsized vanity?
‼️ Former defence minister Fedorov calls for elections: democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia
Michael Mike Pillwax8Fedorov now in the Trump camp with something Putin wants to see? He cant get over it that he was dismissed and now wants to destroy everything?
Stef_Soren7I suppose he knows his own constitution. No elections under Martial Law? Now he acts like a spoiled schoolgirl and pushing the ruzzian narrative. Shame on you Federov - grow up!
EUCitizen4Fedorov is probably on the Putin's payroll. If he's not, then he's either extremely evil or extremely butthurt.
Francis-Lematt2it's becoming more and more evident that, while his intensions were honest, he is not suitable for the defence minister position.
Alina Poliakova 🇺🇦24People are still protesting for him to return to the position of Minister of Defence. But it seems he’s aiming higher now.
J. like JJ. - HeliosRunner -13et là je me marre comme un bossu.... quand je pense à toutes les conneries que j'ai pu lire sur "sa pureté" à lui aussi, alors qu'il a même planifié la sortie qu'il a fait sur Muskovytch, pour bien montrer a l'admin US actuelle qui elle devait suivre. et j'en passe...
