Zelenskyy rejects wartime elections after dismissed minister Fedorov calls for vote

Rejection of election proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on 23 August 2026 that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia presents an unacceptable danger to national stability. Speaking in his first press briefing following several months of political tension, Zelenskyy described the prospect of a wartime vote as a destabilizing force. He stated that conducting an election under current conditions is impossible while Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to consider options for a ceasefire.

I think that in a war like this, elections in such conditions are an enormous risk. It would be a tsunami that would fracture Ukraine.

Fedorov's challenge to governance

The president's remarks responded to a video published on 18 August 2026 by former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his cabinet role in July 2026 after serving less than six months, argued on YouTube that Ukraine faces a systemic governance crisis caused by corruption. He urged state authorities to establish legal and realistic mechanisms to restore the democratic process through national balloting. Fedorov asserted that entrenched misconduct inside the Defence Ministry extends across hundreds of individuals who benefit from public funds rather than just isolated leadership figures.

Democracy must not be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to be a free European state.

Logistical and constitutional hurdles

Zelenskyy's standard presidential term expired in May 2024, but Ukrainian martial law, enacted after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, prohibits holding national elections. Organizing a nationwide ballot would require resolving substantial operational obstacles, including arranging voting access for frontline soldiers, millions of refugees abroad, and citizens living under Russian occupation in seized territories. Public sentiment also reflects significant hesitation regarding wartime voting. A survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology between July and August 2026 indicated that 15% of respondents believe elections should occur before the war concludes.

Dismissals and political fallout

The disagreement follows wider leadership changes in Kyiv. Fedorov previously led the Ministry of Digital Transformation, created in 2019, before moving to the Defence Ministry. His dismissal in mid-July 2026 prompted street demonstrations by thousands of citizens, mostly young people, across multiple Ukrainian cities. The political fallout also led Zelenskyy to replace army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was considered a rival of Fedorov. On 18 August 2026, Zelenskyy submitted the nomination of interim Defence Minister Evgheni Hmara to parliament, which preceded Fedorov's public message regarding governance and procurement reforms. While Zelenskyy defended the constitutional right of citizens to hold public demonstrations, he warned against any conduct that creates division between civilian society and soldiers defending the front.