Ousted Ukrainian defence minister calls for democratic elections pathway

Mykhailo Fedorov, recently dismissed from his position as Ukraine's defence minister, has called for the country to chart a course toward holding elections even as the war with Russia continues.

Fedorov emphasised that Ukraine must identify a legal, safe and realistic framework to resume full democratic processes without compromising national security during the prolonged conflict. His remarks underscore growing discussions within Ukrainian political circles about balancing wartime governance with democratic accountability.

The former minister's statement reflects broader concerns about maintaining democratic institutions while responding to military exigencies. Ukraine suspended elections following Russia's invasion in February 2022, citing security risks and mass displacement of the population.

Ukrainian officials have previously indicated that elections could resume once military operations conclude or stabilise sufficiently. Fedorov's intervention suggests ongoing debate among the country's political establishment about when and how democratic processes should be restored alongside military operations.