Ukraine – What Is Fedorov Thinking?

Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections in Ukraine, a call that has caught many off guard. His logic, however, has left me puzzled. The reason elections have not been held thus far is the immense difficulty in conducting them amidst the ongoing war, with millions living abroad, millions displaced internally, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the front lines.

Also, how would one address populations in occupied territories, and how to ensure the process is secure, both physically and digitally, considering recent issues with Romanian presidential elections? I just can't see how the elections could be secure. Moreover, recent opinion polls suggest only around two-thirds of Ukrainians support the idea, recognizing the challenges involved.

Thirdly, holding elections would require diverting resources away from the ongoing war effort, needed for security and fighting the war itself. Fourthly, holding elections could further deepen the divisions in Ukrainian society, which could be exploited by Russia, the same reason why Putin is pushing for them. Even Fedorov raising the issue now might signal division, as Putin would likely exploit it.

Even though Russia holds elections, they are sham ones where only officially backed parties can run, as seen recently with Yabloko being barred from running in State Duma elections. This raises the question as to why Fedorov is raising this issue. Could it be due to his close connections with Trump's tech buddies, like Elon Musk, who have been promoting Kremlin narratives about elections in Ukraine?

Or is it due to his own political ambitions, seizing the opportunity provided by recent events? But I have to say it feels like a significant political blunder, which some might use against him if he ever considers running for president in the future. It almost seems like political suicide from Fedorov.