Key facts
- Ukraine's parliament reconvened after its summer recess.
- The defense and foreign ministries in Ukraine are vacant.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not submitted nominations for the vacant ministries.
- Acting ministers are currently serving in the defense and foreign ministries.
- Mykhailo Fedorov was recently dismissed as Ukraine's defense minister.
- Mykhailo Fedorov called for elections to be held during the ongoing conflict.
- Fedorov stated Russia should not dictate when Ukrainians vote.
- Fedorov cited a "systemic crisis of governance" in Ukraine.
- Fedorov urged for a legal mechanism to hold elections during the conflict.
Ukraine's parliament has reconvened after its summer recess, with the defense and foreign ministries still vacant. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet put forward nominations for these critical roles, and acting ministers continue to hold the positions. Concurrently, Mykhailo Fedorov, who was recently dismissed as the defense minister, has called for elections to be held even during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Fedorov stated that Ukrainians should not live with uncertainty regarding government decisions and that Russia should not have the authority to decide when they can elect their leaders. He cited a "systemic crisis of governance" as a reason for the need for elections and urged the creation of a legal framework to facilitate voting during wartime. The calls for elections come as the nation faces continued Russian aggression and internal governmental transitions.