In the most significant political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has publicly called for a wartime presidential election. In a nine-minute video address released online late Tuesday, the 35-year-old politician argued that Ukraine must preserve its democratic integrity even while enduring a prolonged conflict.
Fedorov, who was abruptly removed from his post last month, asserted that democracy cannot be held hostage by Russian aggression. He emphasized that the nation is fighting specifically to remain a free European state. Without explicitly naming Zelenskyy, Fedorov criticized the current administration for presiding over a state that struggles with corruption and lacks transparency in decision-making. He questioned why certain reforms are blocked while others proceed, suggesting that society is developing a dangerous perception that personal loyalty to the political system is prioritized over professional results.
Elections in Ukraine have been suspended since the imposition of martial law at the start of the invasion. While Zelenskyy’s original five-year term expired in May 2024, there has been little public appetite for a national vote during the active conflict. However, the political landscape is shifting. Recent polling by the Socis Centre for Social Research indicated that in a hypothetical election, Fedorov would place third with 13.1%, trailing Zelenskyy at 22.3% and former armed forces chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi at 21.4%. The data further suggested that both Fedorov and Zaluzhnyi could defeat Zelenskyy in a potential run-off. Ukraine uses a two-stage voting system.
Fedorov’s dismissal in July followed a reported falling out with military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, which sparked street protests in Kyiv. Although these protests had dwindled, a rally on Sunday night saw approximately 2,000 attendees chanting the former minister’s name. Despite this, experts remain divided on the practicality of holding a national ballot. Political analyst Artem Bronzhukov noted that there is no clear consensus on ensuring voter safety amidst ongoing Russian bombardment, and many Ukrainians hold the view that elections should only resume after the hot phase of the war concludes.
Logistical hurdles also remain significant, with millions of Ukrainians displaced or living abroad, over 1 million citizens serving in the armed forces, and approximately one-fifth of the country under Russian occupation. Meanwhile, the government is moving forward with its own agenda, as Zelenskyy has formally nominated Yevhen Khmara, the acting defense minister, to fill the position permanently, with a parliamentary vote expected Wednesday.
