Mykhailo Fedorov called for the development of a mechanism to hold elections in Ukraine during the war
The former defense minister believes that a prolonged war should not deprive Ukrainians of the ability to elect their government
Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov proposed developing a legal mechanism that would enable elections to be held even in the event of a protracted war. He published the video address to Ukrainians on his YouTube channel.
Fedorov called it abnormal that a country fighting on the front lines does not have a defense minister. At the same time, he believes the problem is much broader.
“If the war continues for another year, two–three, could Russia effectively gain the right to determine when Ukrainians can once again choose their government? I am convinced that it cannot. Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state. Therefore we must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even under prolonged war conditions,” said Mykhailo Fedorov.
To do this, the politician said, it is necessary to ensure voting for service members, for the millions of Ukrainians who are abroad, and for residents of frontline territories. He also stressed the need to guarantee the security of the electoral process and the independence of state institutions.
“We can find a solution in this situation too. Because democracy is a luxury of peacetime. It is part of what we are fighting for today. Elections are not just a ballot. They are the moment when power returns to the citizen and says: ‘Here is what we have done. Now you decide whether you trust us going forward.’ And it is this principle that distinguishes a democratic state from a system where the authorities decide for themselves when society may evaluate them. We must not allow Putin to decide when Ukrainians may choose their government,” Fedorov said.
What the legislation provides
Ukraine’s Law “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law” currently explicitly prohibits holding elections for the president, the Verkhovna Rada, and local self-government bodies during martial law.
Martial law was introduced after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It was last extended from 2 August 2026 for another 90 days.
The issue of future elections in Ukraine has been discussed for several years. Election processes were suspended because of martial law, and scheduled local elections did not take place in 2025. Existing legislative work mostly concerns the first elections after the termination or cancellation of martial law.
In March 2026, a working group of the Verkhovna Rada reported that its members agreed that it is impossible to hold elections while martial law is in effect. The Central Election Commission is simultaneously preparing proposals for organizing nationwide elections after martial law ends.
Fedorov’s dismissal as defense minister
15 July it became known that President Volodymyr Zelensky would not nominate Mykhailo Fedorov for the position of defense minister in the reshuffled government. After that, peaceful rallies began in various Ukrainian cities calling for Fedorov’s return to the leadership of the Defense Ministry and for reforms in the defense sector. Among the protesters’ demands was also the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
22 July Zelensky signed decrees dismissing Syrskyi and appointing Mykhailo Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to media reports, the president explained Fedorov’s dismissal as the result of a systemic conflict with Syrskyi, which, he said, could not be resolved. After his resignation Fedorov held a public press conference and confirmed that he had professional disagreements with the Commander-in-Chief.
According to Fedorov, he had proposed replacing Syrskyi and Chief of Staff Andrii Hnatov. He also claimed that the Commander-in-Chief allegedly “issued an ultimatum” and “invented a way to split the country.”
In addition, the former minister claimed that, thanks to open tenders, the Defense Ministry saved about 100 million dollars on artillery shell purchases and billions more on the acquisition of drones.
After these statements, Syrskyi reached out to Fedorov, apologized and said he did not consider their professional disagreements to be a conflict.
Currently, Yevhenii Khmara is temporarily performing the duties of Ukraine’s defense minister.
It is also known that Zelensky offered Fedorov other positions in government, including deputy prime minister for technological development. However, he refused, as he did not understand the reasons for his dismissal from the Defense Ministry. In an interview with activist Serhii Sternenko, Fedorov said he still hopes to return to the post of defense minister.
At the same time, rallies in support of his return to lead the ministry continue in Ukrainian cities. In particular, 16 August a “Bring Back Fedorov” rally took place in central Mykolaiv.
