Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged the country to hold presidential elections even while the war with Russia continues. Fedorov, who is 35 years old, posted a video online on Tuesday in which he argued that Ukraine needs a legal and safe way to restore full democratic processes. The country has been under martial law since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Elections were suspended due to wartime restrictions, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained in office even after his term officially ended in May 2024, according to bolnews.com. Fedorov did not name Zelenskyy directly, but his comments were seen as the strongest political challenge to the president since the war began. He criticized what he called a systemic crisis in governance, warning that corruption and lack of transparency could weaken Ukraine’s ability to fight the war.
Fedorov said it is especially dangerous when public trust develops that appointments are based more on loyalty than on professional ability or results. His remarks came just weeks after Zelenskyy unexpectedly removed him from the defense ministry during a major government reshuffle. Fedorov had previously served as digital transformation minister and became one of the most visible figures in Ukraine’s use of technology during the war.
He was credited with expanding drone programs, promoting digital military systems, and pushing for data-driven operations on the battlefield. His dismissal led to protests in Kyiv, with supporters demanding his return to the defense ministry. Fedorov turned down other government offers and said he would only return if appointed as defense minister again.
The political turmoil also coincided with the removal of military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose relationship with Fedorov had reportedly become strained. Zelenskyy has since appointed Yevhen Khmara, a career intelligence official who has been acting as defense minister, to take the role permanently. Fedorov argued that democracy should continue even during wartime, though holding a nationwide election would pose major logistical and security problems.
Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced or forced to leave the country since the invasion, and over one million people are serving in the armed forces. About one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory is under Russian occupation, and ongoing attacks raise questions about how voting could be safely organized. Ukrainian political analyst Artem Bronzhukov said most people agree elections are necessary, but many believe they should happen after the worst phase of the war is over.
Fedorov has not said he plans to run for president, but his growing political presence has led to speculation about his future. Before becoming defense minister, he led Ukraine’s digital transformation efforts and helped create the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine” during the early days of the invasion. He later promoted the Army of Drones initiative and pushed for more technology in military operations.
Recent polling suggested Fedorov would come behind Zelenskyy and former armed forces chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi in a first-round election. However, the same polling indicated that Fedorov and Zaluzhnyi could defeat Zelenskyy in a potential runoff. The United States has also previously urged Ukraine to consider elections, with former President Donald Trump publicly calling for a vote.
There are currently no scheduled presidential elections in Ukraine. Fedorov’s comments have reignited a debate about whether democratic institutions can function during a long war and if delaying elections for security reasons might eventually harm Ukraine’s democracy. Fedorov’s video address was widely covered by Ukrainian media and surprised many because it touched on one of the most sensitive topics in public discussion, according to a report from lemonde.fr.
He made his remarks just over a month after Zelenskyy dismissed him as defense minister during a major cabinet reshuffle. He described the political system as corrupted and said it often protects itself rather than serving the people, The Independent reported. Fedorov said that Ukraine’s people have long been ready for a different country and that democracy should not be held hostage by Russia.
He was considered an ally of President Zelenskyy until his unexpected firing in July. Fedorov became the youngest minister in Ukraine’s history when he was named digitalisation chief at age 28. His national profile grew after he took over the defense ministry in January, where he promised a data-driven approach to fighting Russia.
Unlike his predecessors, Fedorov openly laid out a strategy to defeat Russia through attrition and technological strength.
IMAGE: Радник Президента України Михайло Федоров 27 травня провів зустріч із представниками Міжнародного фонду Євразія (проект TAPAS), Фонду Східна Європа (проект EGAP), Академії е-урядування Естонії (проект EGOV4Ukraine), Офісу реформ адміністративних послуг, Американської торговельної палати та Державного агентства з питань електронного урядування.. Photo: president.gov.ua / Wikimedia, taken 2019-05-27, CC BY 4.0