Ukrainian philosopher: the country's democracy is genuine but fragile
Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko warns that both postponing elections and holding them during wartime carry serious risks for Ukraine's democracy. He says the real challenge is preserving accountability without letting internal conflict weaken resistance to Russia.
Ukrainian philosopher, journalist, author and President of PEN Ukraine, Dr. Volodymyr Yermolenko, spoke to France 24 about the serious challenges currently facing Ukraine's democratic system.
In an interview with journalist Oliver Farry, Yermolenko pointed out that suspending elections under wartime conditions is not without risk, as political power continues to concentrate around President Volodymyr Zelensky. At the same time, the opposite approach — holding elections while cities remain under attack — could trigger the very kind of political turmoil Ukraine can least afford right now.
A difficult balancing act
According to Yermolenko, the issue is not simply a choice between democracy and wartime unity. The real challenge, he argues, is finding a way to preserve democratic accountability while preventing internal political conflict from undermining the country's ability to resist Russian aggression.
Yermolenko describes the situation as evidence that Ukraine's democratic system, while genuine, remains fragile under current conditions — it continues to function, but the war places significant strain on its institutions and processes.
