Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated today in an interview with the British television network BBC that Volodymyr Zelensky should explain what he knows about potential corruption in his inner circle, claiming that he has never personally witnessed any illegal practices by the President of Ukraine.
“Let him answer this question… It is his responsibility to tell all of us whether he was aware of it,” Fedorov said, adding that during Zelensky’s years in power, he never received “any mission or instruction that would be contrary to the law” or his principles from Zelensky.
Fedorov’s statement comes after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) of Ukraine announced an investigation into an alleged embezzlement scheme involving more than three million dollars, in which members of parliament and bankers are implicated.
Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of Zelensky’s Office, was dismissed on Wednesday shortly after it was determined that she was involved in the matter.
Fedorov reiterated his call for elections to be held despite the war, stating that “democracy should not be held hostage by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”
Martial law, which has been in effect since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, currently prevents elections from being held.
Zelensky has rejected this possibility, claiming that holding elections during wartime would pose an “enormous risk and a tsunami” that would likely divide the country.
Fedorov, who insists he has no immediate political ambitions, does not rule out the possibility of running for president one day.
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