Elections Now a Tsunami for Ukraine, Says Zelensky

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stated that organizing elections in the context of a large-scale war poses serious risks for the country and could lead to a fragmentation of society, reports 'Ukrainska Pravda.'

According to Zelensky, about a year ago, various parties urged Ukraine to hold elections even before the end of hostilities. He indicated that he was open to discussing this option if Western partners presented specific conditions for conducting secure and legitimate voting.

“If our partners suggest specific conditions under which safe, legitimate, and democratic elections can be held in Ukraine—with military participation, in frontline areas, and abroad, where millions of our citizens have gone—then let’s discuss that,” said the Ukrainian leader.

However, he noted that no such proposals had been made by Western partners. Zelensky also emphasized that holding elections is impossible until a ceasefire is established.

“I believe that in the context of such a war, elections are a significant risk. Elections right now would be a tsunami for the state that could divide Ukraine,” he declared.

The President underscored that his primary focus at present is on ending the war and maintaining Ukrainian statehood. “My strategy is to lead the country until the end of the war and to preserve an independent and sovereign state. And I am implementing this,” Zelensky stated.

Last year, Zelensky mentioned that he was willing to abstain from participating in the next presidential elections if the war with Russia could be successfully concluded.