Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed concerns that holding an election during active conflict with Russia would be detrimental to the country, potentially causing division among its citizens. This statement comes following the ousted former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for a wartime poll, which sparked controversy.

The dismissal of Fedorov last month led to widespread protests, with supporters initially advocating for his reinstatement but later opposing his election proposal. Zelenskyy emphasized that conducting elections during wartime is prohibited by Ukrainian law, citing security challenges and the complexities of involving millions of Ukrainians affected by the conflict.

Zelenskyy highlighted the need to prioritize ending the war and safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty over rushing into elections. He also addressed the rift with Fedorov, acknowledging their past collaboration but expressing disagreement with Fedorov’s recent actions.

Fedorov’s proposal for a wartime election has stirred political tensions, with Zelenskyy emphasizing the importance of unity and stability in Ukraine. The President underscored that the focus should be on resolving the conflict and maintaining the country’s independence.

Moreover, Zelenskyy revealed details of a communication mishap with U.S. President Donald Trump over the use of Starlink in Russia, attributing the misunderstanding to inaccurate information from the Defense Ministry. This incident underscores the challenges posed by misinformation in sensitive diplomatic matters.