President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has warned against holding an election during the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that it would be detrimental to the country and lead to further division among Ukrainians. Zelenskyy made these remarks in response to calls for a wartime poll by former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The sudden dismissal of Fedorov last month sparked protests, with some supporters initially calling for his reinstatement but later opposing the idea of an election.
Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during a time of war is prohibited by Ukrainian law and would be logistically challenging due to security concerns and the large number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict. He expressed that moving towards elections under such circumstances would endanger the unity of the country.
While Zelenskyy’s approval rating remains relatively stable, recent polling indicates that the majority of Ukrainians prefer to postpone elections until after the conflict is resolved. The president mentioned the possibility of a wartime election if security guarantees were provided by international partners, although no such proposal has been made.
Addressing the rift with Fedorov, Zelenskyy maintained a positive stance towards his former ally, acknowledging their shared history but highlighting disagreements over recent actions. Fedorov, known for his role in modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces and advancing military technology, was dismissed following reported conflicts 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 for military operations. The Ukrainian president cited inaccurate information provided by the Defence Ministry, leading to a miscommunication with Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The episode underscored the challenges faced by the Ukrainian government in navigating complex geopolitical issues during the conflict.
Zelenskyy’s comments underscore the delicate balance Ukraine must maintain in the midst of geopolitical tensions and internal political dynamics, as the country seeks to safeguard its sovereignty and unity in the face of external threats.