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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls for elections while the country remains at war with Russia, warning that a vote during the conflict could deepen divisions and put Ukraine at greater risk.
In remarks made public on Sunday, Zelensky said elections under current conditions would create serious challenges for a country still fighting Russia’s invasion.
“I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk. Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine,” he said.
Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law, a decision that continues to receive broad public support as the country focuses on its military campaign against Russian forces.
“If we want to destroy the country, then we can move in the direction of elections during these times of war,” Zelensky added.
The comments followed a call by his former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who recently pushed for discussions on organising a vote despite the ongoing conflict. Fedorov’s position drew criticism, with some of his supporters distancing themselves from the proposal.
Zelensky made the remarks during a briefing with journalists, including AFP, his first major media engagement in months as he faced a political crisis triggered by Fedorov’s dismissal.
Thousands of people took to the streets after the removal of the former minister, who had advocated reforms but clashed with Ukraine’s military leadership over its traditional approach.
Experts have pointed to major obstacles to holding elections during wartime, including how soldiers fighting on the front lines, millions of Ukrainian refugees abroad and residents in occupied territories would participate. Concerns have also been raised over potential Russian disinformation efforts.
A poll by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology showed that only 15 per cent of Ukrainians support holding elections before hostilities end. Zelensky also criticised Fedorov’s recent actions, saying he believed the former minister was moving in the wrong direction.
“I believe he is going himself, or is being pushed, toward wrong things,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader said citizens had the right to protest but warned against actions that undermine respect for military members.
“Since when has marketing started to outweigh the people who are giving their lives?” he asked.
After a period of political pressure, Zelensky presented himself as a figure seeking to prevent further divisions within Ukraine.
“I believe that society and soldiers must not be divided,” he said, adding that Ukraine must recognise the risks of movements that could lead to dangerous developments during the war.
