President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said holding presidential elections during the ongoing war would destroy or split Ukraine.
The debate over democratic legitimacy versus military necessity has intensified as Ukraine faces daily missile strikes and a prolonged conflict. While the country has not held a presidential election since 2019 [1], the question of whether to vote under fire has created a rift between the president and some of his former allies.
Zelenskyy said the country will not hold elections until a ceasefire is in place [2]. He said that the wartime environment and the threat of Russian strikes make a fair and stable vote impossible. Under current martial law, elections are prohibited [3].
Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has challenged this stance. Fedorov said democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia and has called for wartime elections to maintain the country's democratic legitimacy. Zelenskyy fired Fedorov in July over disagreements regarding the conduct of the war [4].
The tension comes at a time of significant financial strain for the Ukrainian military. Reports indicate a defence budget shortfall of $27 billion [5]. This economic pressure adds complexity to the logistical requirements of organizing a national vote, while maintaining front-line operations.
Zelenskyy has maintained that the primary goal must be national survival. He said holding elections during war would destroy Ukraine, suggesting that the process would create internal political divisions that Russia could exploit to further destabilize the state.
“"Holding elections during war would destroy Ukraine."”
The clash between Zelenskyy and Fedorov highlights a fundamental tension in wartime governance: the balance between maintaining a democratic mandate and ensuring national stability. By tying elections to a ceasefire, Zelenskyy is prioritizing military cohesion over electoral cycles, whereas critics argue that delaying the vote weakens Ukraine's image as a democratic alternative to Russia.
