Former defence chief warns of a governance crisis and urges Ukraine to restore democratic accountability despite the ongoing war with Russia
Golden Page News | International Report|
KYIV — Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for presidential elections to be held despite the country’s ongoing war with Russia, delivering one of the strongest internal challenges to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
In a video address released on Tuesday, Fedorov argued that Ukraine should find a “legitimate, secure and realistic” way to hold elections rather than allowing the war to indefinitely suspend democratic processes. He warned that Ukraine was facing a broader crisis of governance and said the country’s democratic institutions should not be held hostage by Russia’s actions.
Fedorov’s intervention marks a dramatic change in his relationship with Zelensky. Once regarded as one of the president’s most trusted and influential allies, Fedorov served as defence minister for only about six months before being dismissed in July as part of a wider government reshuffle. His removal triggered protests and renewed debate over the direction of Ukraine’s defence policy and government.
From Zelensky ally to political challenger
Fedorov became prominent through his work on Ukraine’s digital transformation and later played a significant role in the country’s technology-driven military strategy, including efforts to expand drone capabilities. His reformist reputation and public profile had made his dismissal politically sensitive.
Relations between Fedorov and senior military leadership had reportedly deteriorated, particularly over defence management and reform priorities. Zelensky acknowledged that there had been a difficult relationship between Fedorov and Ukraine’s military leadership before the minister was removed. 
Following his dismissal, public demonstrations were held in support of Fedorov, turning what initially appeared to be a government reshuffle into a broader political controversy. Analysts have since questioned whether his removal could ultimately strengthen him as a potential political rival to Zelensky.
Elections remain legally complicated
Fedorov’s proposal faces a major legal obstacle. Ukraine remains under martial law, which has continued during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Official Ukrainian documents show that martial law was extended in 2026, while the government has continued nationwide mobilisation.
Ukraine’s constitutional framework provides for presidential and parliamentary elections, but the country’s wartime legal framework currently prevents normal elections from taking place during martial law. Ukraine’s parliament has also acknowledged the constitutional and legal difficulties surrounding elections during a special period. 
That makes Fedorov’s proposal more than a call for a conventional election date. It would require Ukraine to determine how democratic voting could be organised while millions of citizens remain displaced, soldiers are serving at the front, occupied territories remain outside Kyiv’s control and security conditions remain unstable.
Zelensky faces renewed political pressure
Fedorov’s comments come at a particularly sensitive moment for Zelensky’s government. On Wednesday, President Zelensky formally nominated Yevhen Khmara as the new defence minister, effectively closing the possibility of Fedorov returning to the post.
At the same time, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have announced investigations involving senior officials, adding to scrutiny of the presidential administration. The developments have intensified questions about governance, transparency and the concentration of political power during wartime.
Fedorov has not formally announced that he intends to run for president. However, his decision to publicly demand elections and criticise the government has positioned him as a potentially important figure in Ukraine’s emerging political debate.
For Zelensky, the challenge is significant not because an election is immediately possible, but because a former senior ally with considerable public visibility is now openly questioning the government’s democratic legitimacy and calling for a path back to electoral politics.
The dispute comes as Ukraine continues its war against Russia, leaving the country to balance two competing priorities: maintaining national security during an existential conflict and preserving the democratic institutions that Kyiv says it is fighting to defend.
