Ukrainian former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov on August 19 called for the restoration of full democratic processes, including presidential elections, despite the ongoing war with Russia. In a nine-minute video address, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must not allow the conflict to indefinitely suspend democratic accountability, stating: “Democracy is not a peacetime luxury. Democracy is part of what we are fighting for today.”
Fedorov’s remarks came weeks after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed him as defence minister on July 26, a move that triggered rare wartime protests in Kyiv and fuelled speculation about growing tensions within Ukraine’s political establishment. Zelenskyy has not publicly responded to Fedorov’s election call.
Martial law and legal constraints
Ukraine has been under martial law since February 24, 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Under current law, elections are suspended for the duration of martial law, a measure widely supported by the population as the country focuses on defending against Russian aggression. Ukraine’s presidential term expired in May 2024, but the continuation of martial law has prevented a vote from being held.
Fedorov did not propose an immediate timetable for elections but called for a legal mechanism to allow Ukrainians to assess the performance of their leaders amid concerns over corruption, bureaucratic inertia, and the concentration of power. He criticized what he described as a “systemic crisis of governance” within Kyiv’s leadership.
International and domestic reactions
The Kremlin responded to Fedorov’s call on August 20, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Russia has long argued for elections in Ukraine as a prerequisite for legitimate negotiations. Peskov described Ukraine’s leadership as “extremely heterogeneous” and suggested that some factions were exploiting internal divisions. “The Kyiv regime and this quasi-political arena of the Kyiv regime are extremely heterogeneous,” Peskov said. “We can see that many there are, naturally, trying to fish in troubled waters.”
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that holding elections under martial law is not feasible. A presidential aide dismissed on August 20 was linked to a recent corruption scandal, underscoring ongoing concerns about governance amid the war.
Political implications and public sentiment
Political analysts noted that Fedorov’s intervention marked a clear departure from his alliance with Zelenskyy, positioning him as a potential opposition figure. Expert Volodymyr Fesenko described the video as “a bid for the role of opposition leader” against what he termed the “collective Zelenskyy.” The move carries significant risk in a country where trust in politicians remains low, particularly during wartime.
Public opinion data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) indicates that most Ukrainians prioritize national survival over political activity. “In all our surveys, people say they don't want politics right now,” KIIS executive director Anton Grushetskyi told AFP. “People don't want politicians, people want some patriots fighting for Ukraine.”
Fedorov’s call for elections adds to the broader debate over Ukraine’s democratic future amid prolonged conflict, raising questions about how the country can balance wartime governance with accountability.