Zelensky rejects rival's call for wartime elections, warns of 'huge risk'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly rejected a proposal to hold elections while the country remains at war, describing such a move as a serious risk to Ukraine.

His remarks were made in response to a public call from former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who urged that a vote be organised. Fedorov made the appeal after being dismissed from his ministerial post by Zelensky last month.

Political tension

The call for elections comes as Ukraine remains under wartime conditions, which under current law generally prevent the holding of national elections. Zelensky stressed that organising a vote under these circumstances could threaten the country's stability and its capacity to continue resisting.

France 24 international affairs editor Matthew-Mary Caruchet provided analysis on the political context surrounding the dispute and its potential implications for Ukraine's domestic politics.