Zelenskyy Warns Wartime Elections Could 'Destroy' Ukraine

Warning Against Wartime Polls

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that holding elections while active fighting with Russia continues would "destroy" the country by splitting the Ukrainian people. In remarks made public Sunday, Zelenskyy described the prospect of wartime elections as a "tsunami" that would pose a major risk to the state.

Zelenskyy stated that moving toward a vote under current conditions could lead to the destruction of the state and risk fracturing the country. He noted that such a move would be impractical at a time when Russia is amassing ballistic missiles and considering the mobilization of an additional 300,000 soldiers.

Internal Political Pressure

The president's comments were a direct response to demands for a fresh contest made by Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense minister. Fedorov, who was dismissed by Zelenskyy a month prior, called for Ukraine to find a way to organize elections despite the ongoing conflict.

Reports indicate that Fedorov's call for a vote represents the most open challenge to Zelenskyy's authority from within Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. The situation has contributed to a political crisis in Kyiv over the summer following Fedorov's dismissal.

Legal Status of Elections

Elections in Ukraine have been suspended since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, as Ukrainian law bans elections during wartime. While Zelenskyy's five-year term officially ended in May 2024, there had previously been little desire within the country to hold a contest while the war continued.

Until Fedorov's recent public demand, the suspension of elections under martial law had continued to receive broad public support as the nation remained focused on the war effort.