Holding an election in Ukraine during ongoing conflict with Russia could lead to the division of the country, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His remarks, made public on Sunday, were in response to a previous call for a wartime poll by former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The sudden dismissal of Fedorov last month triggered widespread protests, but his subsequent election demand was met with hesitation by his supporters, marking a significant development since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Zelenskyy emphasized the potential catastrophic impact of conducting elections during wartime, noting that such actions are prohibited by Ukrainian law. He further highlighted the logistical challenges posed by security concerns and the large number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, making it impractical to hold elections under the current circumstances.
Despite maintaining a stable approval rating of around 60 percent, Zelenskyy acknowledged public sentiment favoring elections post-conflict. A recent poll indicated that a majority of Ukrainians prefer to delay elections until after the resolution of the conflict. Zelenskyy hinted at the possibility of a wartime election if security guarantees were provided by international partners, although no concrete proposal has been presented.
Addressing the rift with Fedorov, Zelenskyy expressed a positive sentiment towards his former ally but raised concerns about Fedorov’s recent actions. Fedorov, known for his contributions to enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities and adoption of advanced technologies like drone warfare, was relieved of his duties following disagreements with military leadership.
Zelenskyy also discussed a misleading encounter with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink technology in Russia. He attributed the misinformation to inaccurate details provided by the Defence Ministry, leading to a misunderstanding with Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The incident underscored the challenges faced by the Ukrainian government in navigating defense decisions amidst ongoing hostilities.
In conclusion, Zelenskyy reiterated his commitment to steering Ukraine towards peace and preserving its sovereignty, emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could further divide the nation.
