Wartime Election Would Risk Destroying Ukraine, Zelenskiy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly cautioned against holding elections during the ongoing wartime, warning that such a move would risk dividing the nation. Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy described the idea as a potential "tsunami for the state that will split Ukraine." He argued that holding elections while Russia amasses troops and ballistic missiles, and shows no interest in a ceasefire, is impractical. Zelenskyy's primary focus, he stated, remains on ending the war and preserving Ukraine as an independent state. Elections have been suspended in Ukraine since martial law was imposed following Russia's full-scale invasion. The discussion around elections gained renewed attention after Mykhailo Fedorov, the recently dismissed former defense minister, called for a new contest, representing a significant internal challenge to Zelenskyy's authority. The president indicated he would support elections if allies established specific conditions for safe, legitimate, and democratic voting, including participation from military personnel and citizens abroad, and ensuring safety from strikes. Zelenskyy also addressed Russia's military capabilities, noting its stockpile of ballistic missiles and production capacity, and highlighted Ukraine's need for Patriot interceptors to counter these threats.

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I believe that if we want to destroy the country, then during such a war we can move in the selection of elections.