President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that attempting to hold national elections amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia would be a catastrophic mistake, describing such a move as a tsunami that could potentially tear Ukraine apart. Speaking during a recent briefing with journalists, Zelenskyy argued that pursuing a democratic vote while the country remains under martial law is fundamentally impractical and dangerous. This response comes after Mykhailo Fedorov, a former defense minister who was recently dismissed, publicly called for new elections, marking one of the most direct internal challenges to the president’s leadership since the full scale invasion began.
Zelenskyy emphasized that for any election to be legitimate and safe, it would require impossible conditions given the current reality on the ground. He noted that a fair process would need to include millions of refugees living abroad and soldiers stationed in active combat zones, all while ensuring voters are not subjected to constant missile strikes and shelling. While he expressed openness to elections if international allies could help establish specific safety guarantees, he maintained that his primary focus must remain on ending the war and preserving Ukraine as an independent sovereign state.
Addressing the friction with Fedorov, Zelenskyy stated that while he maintains a positive personal regard for his former minister, Fedorov had overstepped his bounds by interfering with military functions. According to the president, Fedorov was offered several alternative roles within the government before his departure but declined them all. Zelenskyy suggested that Fedorov may have been pushed toward these political challenges by outside influences rather than acting out of practical necessity for the state.
Beyond domestic politics, Zelenskyy painted a grim picture of Russia’s military preparations heading into winter. He revealed that Moscow is amassing hundreds of high speed ballistic missiles and may seek to mobilize another 300,000 soldiers following their own parliamentary elections in September. To counter this threat, the president is urgently requesting additional Patriot interceptor missiles from the United States, arguing that even a small percentage of American stockpiles could save countless lives and provide critical diplomatic leverage as Ukraine struggles to protect its infrastructure from aerial bombardment.
