Wednesday, August 25, 2026 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for elections while the country remains at war with Russia, warning that a wartime vote could fracture Ukraine rather than strengthen democracy.
His response came after former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged the government to find a way to hold elections despite martial law.
Zelenskyy argued that organizing a national vote under current conditions would create serious security and logistical challenges, including how to safely allow soldiers, displaced Ukrainians and people living in occupied territories to participate.
Ukrainian law currently bars elections while martial law remains in force, and recent polling indicates that a majority of Ukrainians prefer to wait until fighting has ended.
The dispute opens a new political front as Kyiv continues its fight against Russia and seeks stronger Western backing. Fedorov’s demand has added pressure on Zelenskyy amid wider concerns over governance and corruption, but opposition figures have also questioned whether a credible nationwide election is possible during the conflict.
For Ukraine, the immediate challenge is balancing democratic accountability with national unity and survival during wartime.
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