Zelenskyy Warns Wartime Elections Would Split and Destroy Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly rejected calls from his former defence chief to hold a wartime election, warning that the move would pose a massive risk to the nation. While Ukrainian law strictly prohibits elections during wartime, former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recently sparked debate by making the first public demand for a vote.

Speaking during a briefing on Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal. “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 stated. He further emphasized that moving toward elections during the ongoing war with Russia could ultimately destroy the country.

Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old popular figure who served as defence chief for six months before being dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July, released a video arguing that Ukraine’s democracy should not be held hostage by Russia. Despite his arguments regarding a governance crisis, experts and officials note that logistical and safety challenges make wartime voting nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, the political debate unfolds as Ukraine continues to face relentless aerial attacks. Overnight Russian strikes in the Donetsk region resulted in casualties and widespread property damage, while drone attacks targeted Kharkiv and the Odesa region. To counter the rising threat, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is prioritizing strikes against Russian ballistic launchers and seeking domestic production of Patriot missiles with support from United States President Donald Trump.

Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed technological and financial challenges, mentioning that both sides are developing alternative battlefield communication systems to rival Starlink, created by US tech billionaire Elon Musk. Financially, Ukraine faces a significant defence funding gap for the year, though recent agreements with France, Germany, and Norway aim to bolster the nation's air defence and fiscal stability.