Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned against holding an election during the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that it would lead to the country’s division. This statement came in response to former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for a wartime poll. Fedorov’s recent dismissal sparked protests, with some supporters initially backing his reinstatement but hesitating at the idea of an election amid the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during wartime is prohibited under Ukrainian law. He also highlighted the security challenges and the significant number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, making it impractical to hold elections at this time.
The President’s approval rating remains steady at around 60%, but polls indicate that most Ukrainians prefer to wait until the conflict subsides before engaging in electoral processes. Zelenskyy suggested that a wartime election could be considered if security guarantees were provided by international partners, although no such proposal has been presented.
Zelenskyy expressed his desire to end the war and preserve Ukraine’s independence, stressing that rushing into elections would further divide the nation. He also addressed the rift with Fedorov, acknowledging their past collaboration but pointing out differences in their current approaches. Fedorov, known for his efforts to modernize Ukraine’s military, was dismissed following disagreements with military leadership.
In a separate incident, Zelenskyy recounted a misunderstanding with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink technology over Russian territory. He revealed that inaccurate information from the Defence Ministry led to a miscommunication, resulting in a tense exchange with Musk over the proposed usage, causing tensions between the two countries.
Zelenskyy did not directly accuse Fedorov of misinformation but indicated that such incidents influenced certain decisions.