President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has expressed concerns that holding an election during the ongoing conflict with Russia would be detrimental to the country, potentially leading to division among Ukrainians. The President’s remarks come after former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for a wartime poll in a recent address.

Fedorov’s sudden dismissal last month sparked widespread protests, with some supporters initially calling for his reinstatement but later hesitating to support his election proposal. Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during wartime is prohibited by Ukrainian law and highlighted the security challenges and the situation of millions of Ukrainians affected by the conflict.

While Zelenskyy’s approval rating has remained relatively stable, recent polls suggest that most Ukrainians prefer to hold elections after the conflict ends. The President mentioned the possibility of a wartime election if security guarantees were provided by Kyiv’s partners, but no such plan has been proposed.

Zelenskyy underscored his commitment to ending the war and preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty, emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could further divide the country. He also addressed the rift with Fedorov, acknowledging their past collaboration but expressing disagreement with the former minister’s recent actions.

Fedorov, known for his role in modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces and promoting drone warfare, was dismissed following reported disagreements with military leadership. Despite the developments, Fedorov has not confirmed whether he intends to participate in any future elections.

In a broader context, Zelenskyy discussed challenges related to defense spending and a recent incident involving inaccurate information provided by the Defense Ministry, which led to a misunderstanding with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the use of Starlink technology in Russia. The President clarified the sequence of events and highlighted the importance of accurate information in international relations.