Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Ukraine’s political debate has intensified after former Defence Minister Mykhailo Federov called for a presidential election despite the ongoing war with Russia. In a nine-minute video address, Fedorov argued that Kyiv should find a legal and secure way to restore the country’s democratic process.
His remarks represent one of the strongest political challenges to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Fedorov did not directly name Zelenskyy, but he criticised the government over transparency, decision-making and political appointments.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Ex-Defence Minister Federov Calls for Presidential Election
Fedorov has urged Ukraine to begin working toward a presidential election even though the country remains at war.
In his video message, he said Ukraine should not allow Russia’s invasion to permanently disrupt its democratic institutions. “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state,” Fedorov said.
His demand marks a major shift in the political discussion because Ukraine has not held a presidential election since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Fedorov Challenged Zelenskyy Over Presidential Election
Although Fedorov avoided directly attacking Zelenskyy by name, his remarks put the president’s leadership under fresh political pressure.
Fedorov criticised what he described as slow reforms, limited transparency and appointments based on loyalty instead of competence. He argued that Ukraine needs a functioning democratic process even while the war continues.
The former minister’s intervention also comes at a politically sensitive moment, with Zelenskyy’s government facing questions over governance and the future of Ukraine’s political system.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Why Was Fedorov Removed as the Defence Minister?
Zelenskyy removed Fedorov from the defence ministry in July after he spent only a short period in the post. His dismissal followed tensions with military leadership, particularly over the role and performance of military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Fedorov had previously gained prominence as Ukraine’s digital transformation minister. He became closely associated with Ukraine’s use of technology and drones during the war before taking over the defence ministry.
His removal sparked protests, with supporters calling for his return. The political dispute later coincided with further changes in Ukraine’s military leadership.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Why Is He Calling Presidential Election Amid War?
Fedorov says Ukraine needs to protect its democratic institutions despite the conflict.
He has called for the creation of a “legal, safe and realistic mechanism” that would allow the country to restore a full democratic process during the prolonged war.
His position directly confronts the argument that elections must wait until fighting ends. Fedorov instead wants Kyiv to explore ways of conducting voting while addressing security, legal and logistical problems.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Why Has Presidential Voting Been Delayed?
Ukraine has not held a presidential election because martial law has remained in force since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian law does not allow presidential elections while martial law remains active.
Zelenskyy’s five-year presidential term formally expired in May 2024, but he has remained in office under the wartime constitutional framework.
Holding an election now would create significant challenges. Ukraine would need to provide voting access to soldiers, displaced citizens and Ukrainians living abroad while also dealing with occupied territories and the continuing threat of Russian attacks.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: What Happened After His Removal as Defence Minister?
Fedorov’s dismissal did not end his political influence.
His removal triggered protests in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, with supporters demanding that he return to the defence ministry. A recent rally in Kyiv reportedly attracted around 2,000 people.
Zelenskyy has since moved ahead with a new defence ministry appointment. Ukraine’s parliamentary defence committee unanimously supported Yevhenii Khmara’s candidacy on August 19.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: What Does Fedorov Want?
Fedorov is calling for Ukraine to restore a full democratic process and find a practical way to hold elections. He has also demanded greater transparency in government and criticised political decisions that he believes prioritise loyalty over competence.
Importantly, Fedorov has not announced that he will run for president. His current demand focuses on holding an election rather than declaring his own candidacy.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: What Do Recent Polls Show?
Fedorov’s intervention carries political weight because recent polling has shown strong support for him.
A recent Socis Centre survey placed Zelenskyy at 22.3% in a hypothetical first-round presidential contest, followed by former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi at 21.4% and Fedorov at 13.1%. The survey also indicated that both Fedorov and Zaluzhnyi could defeat Zelenskyy in hypothetical runoff contests.
The polling does not mean an election is imminent, but it highlights why Fedorov’s comments could have a wider political impact.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: What Has Zelenskyy Said About Elections?
Zelenskyy’s government has continued to link elections to the country’s wartime legal and security situation.
The central obstacle remains martial law, which prevents Ukraine from conducting presidential elections under the current rules. The government would also need to address voting for millions of displaced Ukrainians, military personnel and citizens living abroad.
Fedorov’s demand now adds pressure to the debate over whether Ukraine should wait for the war to end or develop a framework for elections while the conflict continues.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: What’s Next?
Fedorov’s call is unlikely to immediately result in a presidential election. Ukraine still faces major legal, security and logistical barriers to nationwide voting.
However, his intervention has reopened a politically sensitive debate over Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine’s democratic legitimacy and the country’s political future during the Russia-Ukraine war.
For now, the key question is not simply whether Ukraine will hold an election, but whether Kyiv can create a safe and legally valid system for voting while the war continues.
