Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Demands Democratic Elections, Confronts Zelenskyy's Wartime Authoritarianism
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Mykhailo Fedorov, ex-defence minister, calls for elections in Ukraine, directly challenging President Zelenskyy's undemocratic martial law and highlighting the need to resist authoritarian tendencies even during war.
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has boldly declared that Ukraine must establish a way to hold elections, despite the ongoing war with Russia, in a move that represents the most significant public resistance to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s consolidation of power since the conflict began. Zelenskyy’s imposition of martial law after the February 2022 invasion has effectively silenced democratic participation by banning elections, a tactic often used by leaders to suppress dissent and maintain control.
In a YouTube video, Fedorov insisted that “democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” and called for the urgent creation of a “legal, safe and realistic mechanism” to restore democratic rights to the Ukrainian people, even as the war rages on. He emphasized that the struggle is “precisely because we want to remain a free European state,” underscoring the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom abroad while denying it at home.
Fedorov, who was ousted in mid-July after reportedly clashing with the president’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had previously led Ukraine’s transition toward drone and robotic warfare—a shift that officials claim improved Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian targets. His abrupt removal triggered protests nationwide, as citizens voiced their frustration with the government’s lack of transparency and democratic process.
“This is complex… But complexity does not mean impossibility,” Fedorov said, openly acknowledging the immense logistical challenges of enabling voting for soldiers, front-line residents, and displaced Ukrainians. Yet, he argued, these challenges must not be used as excuses to deny people their rights.
Fedorov did not outline any personal political ambitions, reiterating that he would only consider returning to government as defence minister, signaling his commitment to democratic principles over personal power.