Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that holding an election during active conflict with Russia would be detrimental, potentially dividing the nation. His remarks, shared with journalists recently, come after former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for a wartime poll last week. Fedorov’s unexpected dismissal last month led to widespread protests, and although there were calls for his reinstatement, the idea of an election during wartime was met with skepticism.
Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during a war is against Ukrainian law. Security issues and the challenges of managing millions of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, either living under Russian occupation or involved in frontline fighting, further complicate the feasibility of holding an election.
The President pointed out that while his approval rating remains steady at around 60%, recent polling suggests that most Ukrainians prefer to postpone elections until after the conflict ceases. Zelenskyy mentioned the possibility of a wartime election if security guarantees were provided by international partners, but clarified that no such proposal has been presented.
Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of ending the war and preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty, stating that holding elections under current circumstances could lead to further division within the country. Additionally, he addressed the rift with Fedorov, acknowledging their shared history but expressing concern over Fedorov’s recent actions. Despite Fedorov’s contributions to modernizing Ukraine’s military, his departure was linked to disagreements with top military officials.
In a separate matter, Zelenskyy discussed an incident involving inaccurate information provided by the Defence Ministry, which led to a misunderstanding with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink technology in Russia. The Ukrainian President clarified that he acted on misinformation from the ministry, leading to a miscommunication with Trump, SpaceX founder Elon Musk, and subsequent fallout over the Starlink issue.
Overall, Zelenskyy’s statements underscore the challenges of navigating political decisions amidst ongoing conflict and the importance of unity and strategic planning to safeguard Ukraine’s future.