Dr. Soriful Hoque Priom

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that holding elections while the country remains at war with Russia would pose a serious threat to national unity, rejecting a recent call from his former defence minister to find a way to organise a vote.

Zelensky made the remarks Saturday during a briefing with journalists, including AFP, in his first such meeting in several months. His comments were made as Ukraine faces continued Russian missile and drone attacks, political tensions and growing debate over the country’s future leadership.

Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law, which remains in force because of Russia’s invasion launched in 2022. The suspension continues to enjoy broad public support, with most Ukrainians prioritising the war effort over holding a national vote.

“I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk,” Zelensky said. He warned that an election held under current circumstances could become a destabilising force and potentially deepen divisions within Ukrainian society.

“If we want to destroy the country, then we can move in the direction of elections during these times of war,” he added.

The debate intensified after former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov unexpectedly called for efforts to organise elections. Fedorov did not provide a detailed plan for overcoming the considerable logistical and legal obstacles involved, and some of his supporters subsequently distanced themselves from the proposal.

Ukrainian authorities and experts face numerous challenges in considering elections during wartime. Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since the invasion, while large numbers of citizens remain in territories occupied by Russia. Questions also remain over how soldiers serving on the front lines would cast their ballots and how voting could be conducted safely in areas exposed to Russian attacks.

Another major concern is the potential for Russian disinformation and interference. With Ukraine continuing to face daily missile and drone strikes, ensuring the security and credibility of an election campaign would be extremely difficult.

Public opinion also appears to favour postponement. According to a poll by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology, only 15 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should be held before the end of hostilities.

Zelensky’s comments came amid a separate political dispute surrounding Fedorov’s departure from the government. The former minister had been a prominent advocate of Ukraine’s rapidly expanding drone warfare capabilities and had pushed for reforms within the armed forces. However, he also clashed with military commanders over operational and organisational issues.

His removal triggered public criticism, with thousands of Ukrainians taking to the streets. Some protesters demanded changes to the military leadership, including the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

Zelensky said Ukrainians had the right to demonstrate and express dissatisfaction but cautioned against what he described as disrespect toward military personnel who are fighting on the front lines.

“Since when has marketing started to outweigh the people who are giving their lives?” he asked, arguing that political disputes should not undermine the armed forces during wartime.

The president also sought to portray himself as a defender of unity between Ukrainian society and its military.

“I believe that society and soldiers must not be divided,” Zelensky said, warning that Ukraine must recognise the possibility of developments that could weaken national cohesion.

His remarks came shortly before Ukraine’s Independence Day on Monday, when several international leaders are expected to visit the country. Ukraine’s allies are also preparing discussions on strengthening the country’s air defences as Russian attacks continue.

The dispute over elections highlights the difficult political balance Ukraine faces as the war enters another prolonged phase. While elections are a central element of democratic governance, the practical and security challenges of conducting a nationwide vote during an active invasion remain substantial.

For Zelensky, the immediate priority appears to be maintaining political stability and military cohesion until conditions allow Ukrainians to hold an election without risking further fragmentation of a country already under immense pressure from the war.