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Zelensky rejects elections during war: "Would divide Ukraine"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the idea of elections during the war as dangerous, stating it could divide the country.

23 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Zelensky rejects elections during war: "Would divide Ukraine" — Archive photoPhoto: Raimond Spekking · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized calls for elections in Ukraine during the war. The Ukrainian president emphasized that such elections would pose a significant risk in the current situation. He stated that holding elections during the war could trigger a "tsunami" that would divide the country.

Zelensky's statements came in response to a proposal from his former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who advocated for organizing an election. The president rejected this demand, noting that martial law has suspended elections in Ukraine since 2022. This measure continues to enjoy broad public support.

Zelensky explained that the current war environment could make elections not only difficult but also potentially dangerous. He cautioned about the possible consequences and divisions such elections could bring to Ukrainian society.

The debate over potential elections in the ongoing conflict with Russia occupies the Ukrainian political landscape. Voices from the opposition and some former government officials are calling for a return to political normalcy, while the government maintains that ensuring the country’s safety is the top priority.

International observers and analysts are also closely monitoring the situation. The government has repeatedly emphasized that continuing resistance against Russian aggression is of utmost importance, complicating the discussion around new elections.

The Ukrainian president reminded that the current circumstances could make elections not only challenging but also potentially destabilizing. In his remarks to reporters, Zelensky stressed the need to preserve the unity of the country during this critical phase.

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