President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls for Ukraine to hold elections while the country remains at war with Russia, warning that a vote under current conditions could deepen divisions. In remarks made public on Sunday, Zelensky described wartime elections as a major risk to the country and argued that they could destabilise Ukraine while its forces continue fighting the Russian invasion. Elections remain suspended under martial law.

“I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk,” Zelensky said, describing them as a “tsunami” that could split Ukraine. He argued that holding elections during the conflict could create further political and social divisions at a time when national unity remains important to the country's war effort. Zelensky also warned that pursuing elections under present conditions could put the country's stability at risk.

The remarks followed a call by former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov for Ukraine to find a way to hold elections despite the ongoing war. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his position last month, has emerged as a prominent political challenger after criticising the government's handling of governance and corruption. His call for elections has added to political tensions surrounding Zelensky's administration.

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Several practical challenges would also make a wartime vote difficult, including the participation of Ukrainian soldiers, millions of citizens displaced by the conflict and residents of territories occupied by Russia. Elections are prohibited under Ukraine's martial-law framework, and experts have raised concerns about whether a vote could be conducted safely and fairly while the country remains under attack. These issues have strengthened arguments against holding an immediate election.

Zelensky also criticised the political developments surrounding Fedorov and warned against divisions between Ukrainian society and the military. He argued that disagreements should not undermine the position of soldiers fighting Russia. The president's comments came during a briefing with journalists on Saturday, his first such interaction in several months amid growing political tensions and criticism of his government.

The debate over elections has emerged as one of the most significant political challenges facing Zelensky since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. While Fedorov has pushed for a mechanism to restore the electoral process, Zelensky maintains that the immediate priority must remain the country's defence and unity. For now, Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, with no immediate election planned while the war remains ongoing.

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