·
·
Sunday, 23 August 2026dailybeirut.com
World
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected calls to hold elections during the war with Russia, calling them a “tsunami” threatening to fracture national unity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that holding elections amid the ongoing war with Russia would pose an extreme danger to the country. His remarks followed a recent call by his former defense minister to organize such polls.
Zelenskyy told reporters, according to AFP, “I believe that in a war like this, elections themselves would constitute a massive risk. Elections now would be like a tsunami hitting the country and splitting the ranks in Ukraine.” He added, “If we wanted to destroy the country, then we could move toward holding elections during these wartime conditions.”
Ongoing martial law has suspended electoral activity in Ukraine—a measure that continues to enjoy broad public support as the nation focuses its efforts on resisting Russian forces.
Zelenskyy held a press briefing with journalists on Saturday—the first such media engagement he has conducted in several months—amid multiple political crises. The session came after recent domestic unrest, including mass street demonstrations by thousands of Ukrainians following Zelenskyy’s dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July.
Fedorov issued an unexpected appeal days earlier for a pathway to conduct elections in Ukraine, without presenting a concrete roadmap. His proposal prompted even some of his own supporters to distance themselves from the idea.
Experts cited numerous practical barriers to holding elections under current conditions: the logistical challenge of enabling voting by Ukrainian soldiers, millions of refugees abroad, and civilians residing in occupied territories—as well as the threat of disinformation campaigns emanating from Russia.
A poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that only 15 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should take place before hostilities end.
During the briefing, Zelenskyy criticized Fedorov directly, saying, “I believe he is moving—on his own or being pushed—toward wrong things.” Fedorov had pursued reforms but encountered resistance from military leadership known for its rigidity and adherence to traditional approaches.
Initially, public opinion backed Fedorov’s position and called for the removal of Armed Forces General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy affirmed citizens’ right to protest but warned against any “disrespectful” behavior or statements directed at members of the armed forces. “Since when have PR considerations taken precedence over people who are sacrificing their lives?” he asked.
He positioned himself as a bulwark against division in Ukraine, following a prior political crisis that had weakened his standing. “I believe there must be no rift between society and soldiers,” he said, adding, “We must recognize that this danger exists—and that there is a real possibility of sliding in that direction, toward serious developments.”
