Bloomberg: Fedorov’s election case is compelling — and dangerously wrong

Marc Champion, a Bloomberg columnist, argued that former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's demand for a presidential election in Ukraine was compelling but fundamentally flawed, according to an analysis published on August 20. Champion maintained that Fedorov's arguments, presented in a nine-minute speech, were indeed valid.

Zelenskyy was elected as president back in 2019, and his term concluded two years ago. Ukrainian legislation explicitly prohibits elections during martial law. Champion acknowledged that Fedorov was correct in asserting that the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine could persist for an indefinite period, leading to complex issues of political accountability.

Champion cited several other points made by Fedorov, which he deemed equally persuasive. However, he firmly disagreed with Fedorov's assertion that holding elections amidst a full-scale war could be conquered or that such an event would undermine Russia's influence. Champion believed that Fedorov was well-aware of this reality. Champion argued that conducting safe and credible elections during a war, especially in areas within striking distance of Russian glide bombs, would be virtually impossible unless Moscow ceased its attacks.

With Russia intensifying its strikes and Ukraine being severely lacking in interceptors for ballistic missiles, the idea of individuals assembling near polling stations should suffice to put an end to the debate. Champion contended that attempting to hold elections during the war would not challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin; rather, it would be "an answer to his prayers."

The Kremlin has been advocating for elections in Ukraine for years, with Putin's intention being to cast doubt on Zelenskyy's legitimacy and to sow division and instability within Ukraine through the ensuing political polarization that would inevitably occur following an election. Champion asserted that Ukraine cannot afford such distractions at this juncture, as the country is presently enduring its coldest winter since the full-scale invasion commenced.

Ukraine's populace, Champion argued, is acutely aware of this fact. Champion attributed the calls for elections to the Kremlin, populist politicians, and certain influential Western figures who propagate Russian propaganda. Nevertheless, he also contended that Zelenskyy erred by dismissing Fedorov's defense minister position. On August 18, Fedorov delivered a video address via his YouTube channel, emphatically advocating for elections in Ukraine.

He reiterated that Russia had no authority to dictate when Ukrainians could once again elect their government. Fedorov also underscored the necessity of having a properly appointed defense minister during the war and called for a broader discourse on the nation's future and democracy. The Guardian labeled Fedorov's speech as "the most direct political challenge to Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

The Presidential Office of Ukraine declared that they saw no "realistic basis" for Fedorov's proposition to hold elections during the war. A source within the office confided to the BBC that "it is quite bizarre to plan elections amidst missiles and drones."