Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Exposes Deep-Rooted Corruption, Demands Democratic Renewal
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Mykhailo Fedorov denounces entrenched corruption sabotaging Ukraine’s war effort and calls for immediate, transparent elections, rejecting further participation in a compromised government.
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, in a candid interview with Channel 24, exposed the pervasive corruption festering within Ukraine’s defence ministry, highlighting how a culture of profiteering among 'hundreds of people' is draining public resources and sabotaging the collective struggle against invasion. Fedorov’s remarks underscore how oligarchic interests and bureaucratic inertia have infected the very institutions meant to defend the people, with decision-making slowed by those accustomed to exploiting the state budget for personal gain. While Fedorov refrained from naming the culprits, he expressed hope that ongoing law-enforcement investigations and independent media would eventually unmask those responsible for this systemic rot.
Fedorov used the platform to reiterate his urgent call for Ukraine to break free from the cycle of corruption and restore genuine democracy by organizing local, parliamentary, and presidential elections without delay. He challenged the establishment’s narrative that elections are impossible during wartime, dismissing it as a 'myth' designed to maintain the status quo and shield the corrupt elite from accountability.
After being ousted in a government reshuffle earlier this year, Fedorov rejected offers for other government posts, making it clear he would only return as defence minister, a stance reflecting his refusal to be complicit in a system he sees as fundamentally broken. When questioned about a potential presidential run, Fedorov remained noncommittal, emphasizing his independence and willingness to support genuine reform or withdraw from politics entirely. He outlined plans to contribute to society through the private sector, think tanks focused on defense reform, and university teaching, leveraging the expertise of his team—'hundreds of extremely talented people'—as a foundation for future progressive projects.