Key facts
- President Zelenskyy rejected calls for elections during wartime, stating it would "tear Ukraine apart" and play into Russia's hands.
- Zelenskyy warned that elections under current conditions would risk splitting the country and play into Russia's hands.
- Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov had called for elections, which are suspended under Ukraine's martial law.
- Zelenskyy argued that safe, legitimate, and democratic elections are impossible while Russia refuses a ceasefire.
- Zelenskyy detailed conflicts between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi that led to Fedorov's dismissal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for holding elections during the ongoing war, warning that such a move would risk "splitting the country" and play directly into Russia's hands. Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy stated that elections under current martial law conditions are impractical and dangerous, especially with Russia unwilling to agree to a ceasefire.
His remarks followed a public call for elections by former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been dismissed by Zelenskyy a month prior. Fedorov argued that citizens cannot indefinitely live without clarity on decision-making processes. However, Zelenskyy countered that holding elections now would be a "tsunami for the state" and that he would only support them if specific conditions for safe, legitimate, and democratic voting could be met, including participation from military personnel and millions of Ukrainian citizens abroad.
Zelenskyy also discussed Russia's military capabilities, including its stockpile of ballistic missiles and production rates, and appealed to allies for more air defense systems, particularly Patriot interceptors. He noted agreements with France for a SAMP/T system and with Germany for interceptors, and requested a small percentage of U.S. stockpiles. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to strengthen support, including interceptor missiles. Allies are set to meet to discuss increasing pressure on Moscow. Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Russia would fail to capture the rest of Donetsk province and predicted further Russian troop mobilization after September elections.