Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has opposed holding elections in Ukraine during the war with Russia, arguing that such a process under current conditions would pose a great risk to the country.
"I believe that in such a war, elections pose a very big risk. Elections now would be a tsunami for the country that would divide Ukraine," Zelensky said in comments made public on Sunday.
The debate has returned to the spotlight following the call of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who four days ago demanded that Ukraine create a legal, secure, and realistic mechanism that would enable elections to be held even during the war.
"Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," declared Fedorov, arguing that Ukraine is fighting precisely to remain a free and European state.
The former minister's call has been interpreted as one of the strongest political challenges to Zelensky since the start of the Russian invasion. However, Fedorov has not stated whether he intends to run in a future election process himself.
Zelensky imposed a state of martial law following the Russian invasion in February 2022, while the current legal framework during wartime does not allow for the holding of national elections.
In an interview with the BBC, broadcast on Sunday, Fedorov also said that Zelensky has "questions to answer" regarding allegations of corruption within the government, referring to a money laundering investigation made public last week.
Fedorov stressed that Ukrainians should not be afraid to discuss the possibility of elections even during the war.
“If I can't share my ideas and be open with my society, then what are we fighting for?” he said.
Zelensky dismissed Fedorov in mid-July, a decision that was linked to an unresolved conflict between him and the top Ukrainian commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Fedorov had gained a reputation during the war, particularly for his role in strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities and expanding the use of drones in attacks on targets on Russian territory.
His removal sparked protests in several Ukrainian cities, with thousands of citizens expressing their opposition to the decision. The latest clash over the election is expected to further fuel the internal political debate in Ukraine, at a time when the country continues to be at war and faces great military, economic and political pressure.
