Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Aug. 18 urged Ukraine to hold a wartime presidential election, citing a poll that places him at roughly 13% support in a potential first round. The call challenges the current suspension of elections under martial law and raises questions about political legitimacy amid ongoing combat.
Fedorov delivered the appeal in a nine‑minute video, warning that democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia and demanding a “legal, safe and realistic” voting mechanism for troops, expatriates and front‑line residents. His remarks came hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky nominated acting defence chief Yevhen Khmara for permanent appointment, a move that must be approved by parliament.
The demand intensifies scrutiny of Zelensky’s governance, highlighting concerns over corruption, procurement reforms and the balance between wartime authority and public accountability. If a wartime poll were to be sanctioned, it could reshape the political landscape, affect international aid narratives, and test Ukraine’s claim to uphold democratic norms while fighting.
One source notes that U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to hold an election, a claim absent from the other two accounts, and the poll figures differ slightly, with one outlet citing 13.1% support while another merely describes Fedorov as likely to beat Zelensky in a runoff without precise numbers.