Fedorov calls for wartime elections as pressure mounts on Zelenskyy

In a video address published on Tuesday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to parliament the nomination of Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister, Fedorov said Ukraine must find “a legal, safe and realistic mechanism” that would allow the restoration of a full democratic process despite the prolonged conflict.

“We need to ensure the right to vote for the military, for millions of Ukrainians abroad, and for people in frontline regions. We need to guarantee the security of the electoral process, the independence of institutions and trust in the result,” Fedorov stated. He framed elections not merely as a technical vote but as the moment when power returns to the citizen and the authorities must again seek a renewed mandate.

Fedorov’s intervention marks the most direct challenge to Zelenskyy from a major political figure since the full-scale invasion began. The former minister, who was removed from the Defence Ministry in July after only six months in the post, had previously declined other government roles offered by the president, insisting that the defence portfolio was one of the few positions that truly shapes the course of the war.

His call comes against a backdrop of mounting domestic criticism of the president. As reported yesterday, former President Petro Poroshenko has escalated his attacks on Zelenskyy, pointing to unresolved leadership vacancies in key security ministries, ongoing protests over Fedorov’s dismissal, and intensifying Russian strikes. Demonstrations demanding transparency and the reinstatement of the popular former defence minister have continued for weeks in Kyiv and other cities.

Poroshenko escalates criticism of Zelenskyy amid protests and intensifying Russian strikes

Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections under martial law. Any move to lift that restriction would require a decision by the Verkhovna Rada and would face significant practical obstacles related to security, the participation of soldiers and displaced citizens, and the integrity of the process.

Nevertheless, the growing political pressure and Fedorov’s explicit demand for a democratic reset could open a new chapter. Holding elections would give Ukrainian society a clear opportunity to reassess leadership at a critical juncture. A renewed popular mandate emerging from such a vote would place any future Ukrainian government in a stronger position to pursue peace negotiations, making serious talks more realistic once the country has clarified its internal political legitimacy.

According to recent opinion polls from July and early August 2026 (including those by Rating Group and SOCIS), the figures most capable of winning a hypothetical wartime presidential election in Ukraine are the incumbent President, who typically leads the first-round preferences with around 17–22% support among decided voters; former Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and current Ambassador to the UK Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who consistently ranks a very close second (roughly 14–21%) and often leads in overall trust ratings (66–70%); and former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose support has surged to third place (around 10–13%) following his dismissal and the ensuing protests. Other notable contenders with lower but still relevant support include Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov and former President Petro Poroshenko.

The coming days will show whether Fedorov’s appeal remains an isolated statement or becomes a catalyst for broader debate on the balance between wartime necessity and democratic accountability.

The article in Ukrainian by EUalive’s partner Suspilne can be found here

Caption: A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukraine’s Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov attending the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (not pictured) meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 11 May 2026. Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on an official visit amid the ongoing Russian invasion. EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT