Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections while the war with Russia continues, presenting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a political challenge one month after his dismissal from government.
Fedorov, 35, said in a video address posted on YouTube on Tuesday that Ukraine needed a legal and secure way to restore elections despite the continuing war.
“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” Fedorov said. “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.”
Ukraine has not held national elections since martial law took effect following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian law bars elections while martial law remains in force.
Fedorov did not announce plans to stand for president and did not name Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his address. He accused the state of facing a “systemic crisis of governance” and criticised corruption and resistance to reform.
Fedorov said Ukrainians needed to understand how the government makes decisions and why some reforms advance while others stall. He also questioned appointments based on loyalty rather than professional performance.
His intervention follows weeks of political tension after Zelenskyy dismissed him as defence minister in July, six months after appointing him to the post.
Zelenskyy attributed the dismissal to Fedorov’s inability to work with then armed forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Their dispute exposed disagreements over military leadership and Ukraine’s approach to the war.
Fedorov’s removal triggered protests demanding his reinstatement. Syrskyi was also removed shortly afterwards as demonstrations continued.
About 100 protesters gathered outside parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday morning, chanting for Fedorov’s return and demanding dialogue. A rally on Sunday attracted about 2,000 people.
Hours before Fedorov released his address, Zelenskyy asked parliament to confirm acting defence minister Yevhenii Khmara in the post. Parliament was expected to vote on the nomination on Wednesday.
Fedorov served as Ukraine’s digital transformation minister from 2019 until his appointment as defence minister in January 2026. His work included the expansion of Ukraine’s use of drones and digital systems during the war.
Organising an election during the war would involve security and logistical problems. Millions of Ukrainians have left the country or have been displaced, more than one million people serve in the armed forces, and Russia occupies about a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy’s five-year presidential term reached its scheduled end in May 2024, but Ukraine did not hold an election because martial law remained in place.
HT