Zelenskyy Faces Call for Elections From Fired Defense Minister, Says They Would 'Destroy' Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has faced calls for new elections as his office faces corruption allegations, though he has expressed opposition to the idea.

The Catalyst: In July, Zelenskyy fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who many major mainstream outlets have described as "popular" within Ukraine. Fedorov had only served in his position for six months, and the firing prompted protests in Ukraine. On August 18, Fedorov called for elections in a YouTube video that Reuters (Center bias) described as a "bombshell" and "first such demand by a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia launched its full-scale invasion." Fedorov said, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to renew its full democratic process even in the conditions of a long war." CNN (Lean Left) described Fedorov's address as "remarkable."

Corruption: A day after Fedorov posted his speech, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched a money laundering investigation into banks and lawmakers. Investigators say they found a scheme to misappropriate over $3 million to post bail for a former energy minister who was being investigated for money laundering. So far, a former lawmaker has been taken into custody, and Zelenskyy's deputy chief of staff, Iryna Mudra, was charged with money laundering.

New Comments: Zelenskyy replied to the calls for elections on Sunday and said, "I believe that if we want to destroy the country, then we can move towards elections during this kind of war." Also on Sunday, Fedorov told BBC News (Center) that Zelenskyy should be questioned on potential corruption in his inner circle, though he said he has never seen Zelenskyy engage in corrupt activities. He also said, "Not a single time have I received from him any task or assignment that would go against law or my sense of integrity."

Past Corruption Context: In November 2025, two of Zelenskyy's top ministers resigned after NABU and another corruption watchdog uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme. The investigation came four months after Zelenskyy attempted to neuter the watchdogs' powers but faced pushback from the EU and Ukrainian people.

Past Democratic Context: In December 2025, President Trump called for elections in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he was "ready for elections" once the US and EU made security guarantees to Ukraine. In 2024, Zelenskyy fired his top general, Valery Zaluzhny, who had become increasingly popular with Ukrainians, prompting protests.

How The Media Covered It: Last week, when Fedorov released his address, an analysis from CNN opened by saying "a wartime president for six uninterrupted years must take many unpopular decisions," and framed elections as a difficult task that could lead to the defeat of Ukraine. Michael Brendan Dougherty (Lean Right) of National Review (Right) described Fedorov as Zelenskyy's "first serious political challenger" whose popularity is "likely" what prompted Zelenskyy to fire him. Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) highlighted framing and analysis from major mainstream Western outlets that suggested Zelenskyy may be "losing grip on power."

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