Fedorov calls for mechanism to hold elections in Ukraine under prolonged war conditions

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for a mechanism to hold elections in Ukraine during the prolonged conflict, emphasizing the need for a legal, safe, and realistic solution. In an address, he stated that democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia and that the war's duration should not serve as a justification to abandon democratic processes or grant Russia the power to decide when Ukrainians can choose their government.

Fedorov highlighted that conducting elections entails safeguarding the voting rights of military personnel, millions of Ukrainians residing abroad, and individuals in frontline regions, while ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, institutional independence, and public trust in the outcome. He stressed that complexity does not equate to impossibility, noting that Ukraine has previously tackled situations deemed impossible by the international community.

Fedorov affirmed that democracy remains a core objective of Ukraine's current struggle and that elections must persist as a means for citizens to assess the performance of their authorities.