"No and No": Fedorov’s Wartime Election Appeal Rattles Kyiv

Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Fedorov caused an outcry since the ex-minister, after seven months in the role, was seen as bringing innovation to help Ukraine’s military resist the Russian invasion. Fedorov, formerly a digital minister and with close ties to American entrepreneur Elon Musk, expressed his displeasure about losing the defense job and launched his counterattack in a YouTube address on Tuesday night.

“If the war extends for another year, two, or three, could Russia effectively gain the right to determine when Ukrainians can choose their own government again?” Fedorov questioned. “I am convinced it cannot. Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We fight to remain a free European state.”

Fedorov’s plea arises at a challenging time for Ukraine, with a deepening public trust crisis due to escalating corruption scandals and political tensions, noted Roman Lozynskyi, a Ukrainian lawmaker from the Holos party, in a Facebook post addressed to Zelenskyy. The president’s office experienced more corruption raids on Tuesday, as Operation Forrest Gump gains momentum.

However, the internal turmoil is boosting the push for elections, which could benefit Moscow, the lawmaker warned.

“People realize elections during the war favor the enemy. It will be a war of all against all, a field for fakes and manipulation. A society already torn and wounded,” continued Lozynskyi. Yet, with the country’s current issues, Ukrainians can no longer easily dismiss the idea. “Now people are unsure what is worse: corruption and lies without elections, or taking the risk of resetting the country by holding elections during the war. That is a catastrophe.”

Ukraine was set for a presidential election in March 2024 and a parliamentary election in October 2023, but both were postponed due to the Russian invasion. Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Zelenskyy has not categorically ruled out wartime elections but stated they would require significant international support — including from the U.S. and the EU — to ensure security and voting rights for Ukrainians both domestically and abroad.