Zelenskyy says wartime elections could ‘destroy’ Ukraine

What the report says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has forcefully rejected a proposal from former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to hold elections during the war with Russia, saying such a move would pose a major danger to the country. In remarks reported by Al Jazeera and published on Sunday, Zelenskyy argued that voting under current wartime conditions could deepen divisions and undermine Ukraine’s stability. Ukraine’s law currently bars elections during wartime, and the issue had not been publicly challenged until Fedorov’s recent call.

Fedorov, a well-known political figure in Ukraine, argued in a video posted on YouTube that the country’s democratic process should not be suspended by Russia’s invasion. He also said Ukraine faces a serious governance crisis. Al Jazeera noted that experts have described a wartime election as logistically and physically difficult because of security concerns and operational disruptions.

The dispute comes as Ukraine continues to face Russian air attacks and pressure on its defence systems. Zelenskyy said the government is focusing on Russian ballistic launchers and on securing more missile interceptors, while also warning of a significant defence funding gap this year. He said Ukraine is working with partners on air defence and communications systems, including efforts related to Patriot missiles and satellite-based battlefield links. The debate over elections adds another political challenge at a time when the war and its costs remain central to Ukraine’s future.