Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed concerns about the idea of holding an election during the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that it could lead to the country’s division. Zelenskyy’s remarks came after former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov proposed a wartime poll, which stirred controversy.
Fedorov’s sudden dismissal last month triggered protests, but his call for an election faced resistance due to the challenges posed by the current wartime situation, including security risks and the displacement of millions of Ukrainians. Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during a war is against Ukrainian law and could have detrimental consequences.
Despite Zelenskyy’s stable approval rating, recent polls indicate that a majority of Ukrainians prefer to postpone elections until after the conflict concludes. The President mentioned the possibility of a wartime election if security guarantees were provided by international partners, but no such proposal has been put forth.
Zelenskyy also addressed the rift with Fedorov, acknowledging their past collaboration while expressing disappointment in Fedorov’s recent actions. Fedorov, known for modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces and advancing drone warfare capabilities, was dismissed following disagreements with military leadership.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy discussed a misunderstanding with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink in Russia, attributing inaccurate information from the Defense Ministry to the confusion. The incident highlighted the importance of reliable communication in sensitive diplomatic matters.
