President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has warned against holding an election during the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that it would have a detrimental impact on the country by further dividing its citizens. This statement came in response to former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s recent call for a wartime poll, which stirred controversy.
The sudden dismissal of Fedorov last month triggered widespread protests, with some supporters initially advocating for his reinstatement but later hesitating to support his election proposal. Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during a time of war is prohibited by Ukrainian law, citing security challenges and the significant number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict as obstacles to a feasible election.
Despite Zelenskyy’s approval rating remaining stable around 60 percent, recent polls indicate that a majority of Ukrainians prefer to postpone elections until after the cessation of hostilities. The president suggested that a wartime election could be considered if security assurances were provided by international partners, although no concrete plan has been put forward in this regard.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns that holding elections under the current circumstances would further fragment Ukraine, emphasizing the need to focus on ending the war and safeguarding the country’s independence. The rift between Zelenskyy and Fedorov was also highlighted, with the president acknowledging their past collaboration but questioning Fedorov’s recent decisions.
Fedorov, a popular figure known for modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces and promoting technological advancements like drone warfare, was dismissed following disagreements with military leadership. While Fedorov’s stance on potential future elections remains unclear, his call for a wartime poll has raised significant political tensions within Ukraine.
In a separate incident, Zelenskyy recounted a situation where inaccurate information from the Defense Ministry led to a misunderstanding with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink technology. The Ukrainian president clarified that despite initial reports, SpaceX founder Elon Musk had not approved Ukraine’s proposed use of Starlink for military operations over Russian territory, leading to a miscommunication with Trump.
Overall, Zelenskyy’s remarks underscore the complexities and challenges faced by Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the importance of unity and strategic decision-making to navigate the country through these turbulent times.