The coordinator of the “cardboard Maidan” called holding elections during the war an absurdity, while Fedorov called for them to be held
19 August 11:48
In light of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s statement about the need to find a way to hold elections in Ukraine during a full-scale war, his former allies had previously spoken out strongly against such an idea. In particular, Dmytro Koziatynskyi, the coordinator of protests in support of Fedorov, called talk of elections during the war “absurd,” while Serhiy Sternenko stated that elections could “tear the country apart from within.”
For example, in an interview with the "Komersant Ukrainian" YouTube channel, Dmytro Kozyatynskyi said that thinking about elections during a war is ridiculous.
“The fact that Fedorov is thinking about elections—that’s all just criticism. I’m very surprised by this rhetoric regarding elections, because we’re in the midst of a full-scale war, and, as we know, elections in Ukraine are impossible during wartime. So talking about elections, tallying some kind of polls, political campaigning… It looks so ridiculous that I can’t imagine how anyone could even think about it right now,” he said.
Earlier, Fedorov’s advisor, Serhiy Sternenko, also issued a statement saying that holding elections during a major war would tear the country apart from within.
“Elections are unacceptable in any form as long as full-scale aggression is ongoing. This will tear the country apart from within,” Sternenko emphasized.
At the same time, yesterday Mykhailo Fedorov called for elections to be held in Ukraine during the war.
What Fedorov Said
Fedorov stated that a full-scale war should not lead to Ukraine abandoning the normal functioning of its state institutions. He emphasized that Russian aggression affects not only the situation on the front lines but also public life and perceptions of the country’s future.
“We are living through one of the most difficult and defining periods in our history. Every day, Russia reminds us who we are dealing with. Russia is trying to break us not only on the front lines. It seeks to make fear a part of our daily lives. To force us to get used to sirens. To explosions. To losses. To the idea that the war will last forever. But we cannot get used to it. And we cannot allow Russia to determine what Ukraine will be like,” the former official stated.
He also highlighted the need for the defense ministry to function effectively. At the same time, according to Fedorov, the personnel issue at the Ministry of Defense is only part of a broader problem—the functioning of the state amid a protracted war.
“We must answer a fundamental question: How should the state function if the war drags on for years? And next—if the war lasts another year? Two? Three? Can Russia effectively gain the right to determine when Ukrainians will once again be able to elect their own government? I am convinced that it cannot. Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” Fedorov stated.
In his view, Ukraine needs to establish a framework that will allow for the restoration of full democratic procedures even if the war continues.
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According to Fedorov, it is necessary to “find a mechanism” for elections that would “restore a fully-fledged democratic process” even during a prolonged war.
