Zelensky Says Ex-Defense Minister Was Wrong to Call for Elections
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his former defense minister was mistaken in publicly calling for elections during the war. Zelensky reiterated his long-standing position that holding elections now would tear the country apart.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly pushed back against his former defense minister, who called for elections to be held while the war with Russia continues. Zelensky said this call was mistaken.
The president repeated a position he has held for a long time — that holding elections under wartime conditions would threaten the country's internal unity and could lead to societal division at a moment when Ukraine needs to remain consolidated.
The statement follows public remarks from the former defense minister in favor of organizing elections, a proposal Zelensky clearly rejected as the wrong step given the current circumstances.
A Long-Standing Stance
Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that his view on this matter has not changed since the war began. In his assessment, political competition and election campaigning during wartime would lead to internal divisions that would weaken Ukraine precisely when unity against external threats is most needed.
The president did not provide further details about the former minister's remarks, but he made clear that such a position does not align with the country's current interests. Zelensky's statement confirms that his administration continues to reject any proposals to hold elections while the fighting in the country has not yet ended.
