Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has released a video address calling for elections and a fully appointed defense minister.
His public statement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a formal proposal to parliament for the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as minister of defense.
Fedorov stated that Ukraine cannot remain without a fully appointed minister of defense during an ongoing conflict where enemy tactics are constantly shifting. He said the nation needs to accelerate weapons production, deploy new technologies, negotiate with international partners, and make critical decisions on a daily basis.
The former defense official described the lack of a permanently confirmed minister as abnormal. His public statement follows persistent demonstrations in Kyiv, where protesters have actively demanded Fedorov return to lead the Defense Ministry.
Democratic process during war
In his video message, Fedorov emphasized that Ukrainian democracy must not become a hostage to Russia. He stated that officials must establish a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism enabling Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even during a prolonged war.
Fedorov noted that organizing elections under wartime conditions is complex. He said the government must guarantee voting rights for military personnel on the frontlines, millions of Ukrainians living abroad, and residents in border regions, while protecting the voting process, preserving institutional independence, and maintaining public trust in the results.
Addressing government integrity, Fedorov stated that corruption during wartime is not merely a financial issue but a fundamental matter of survival and victory. He also highlighted what he described as a systemic crisis of governance facing the country.
According to Fedorov, the Ukrainian people have given the government a substantial credit of trust, particularly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. He stressed that this trust places immense responsibility on leadership and does not grant officials the right to act without explanation.
Social contract and leadership
Fedorov advocated for a new social contract based on a simple principle where citizens trust the state and the state communicates with citizens honestly. Concluding his message, he asserted that Ukraine can simultaneously fight a war and preserve its democracy, noting that Ukrainian citizens are the source of power rather than passive observers.
Fedorov did not state the specific purpose or political goal behind recording the video address.
The debate over elections comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy reached seven years in the presidency in April 2026, exceeding the standard five-year presidential term set by the Ukrainian constitution. However, holding presidential or parliamentary elections is prohibited under martial law, which has been in place since Russia began its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
International pressure regarding elections has grown, with United States officials, including President Donald Trump, raising the issue on multiple occasions. Officials in Kyiv emphasize that security remains the essential prerequisite for any vote, as Ukraine faces near-daily Russian missile and artillery bombardments.
Polling and geopolitical concerns
Data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology shows a slight increase in the proportion of Ukrainians who support holding elections provided a truce is reached in the conflict.
Analysis from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War in February indicated that the Kremlin continues to promote discussion of Ukrainian elections to advance false claims regarding the legitimacy of Kyiv's current administration. Analysts at the research institute noted that Moscow has signaled it will reject any election results that do not produce a pro-Russian government in Ukraine.
Fedorov's statement coincided with ongoing civic demonstrations in the Ukrainian capital. Protesters in Kyiv marked their 32nd consecutive day of action against recent cabinet personnel decisions, marching through the city center and delivering a petition to Zelenskyy to demand Fedorov be reinstated as defense minister.
