'Could destroy Ukraine': Zelenskyy's big warning as calls grow for fresh elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautioned that holding elections during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war could "destroy" the nation, as calls for fresh elections have grown. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, elections have been suspended under martial law, which remains popular among the public.

Zelenskyy addressed ousted former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's demand for wartime elections, stating that he believes such elections would further fracture the country. He warned that holding an election under the current conditions poses significant risks to the state's stability.

The issue has gained traction following Fedorov's call for a wartime vote, reminiscent of similar demands from Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy has faced such demands before and now advocates for international allies to establish "specific conditions" to ensure the elections are safe, legitimate, and democratic.

A poll cited by AFP suggests only 15 percent of Ukrainians support elections before the end of hostilities, highlighting the challenges of a wartime vote. Zelenskyy emphasised his focus on ending the war and preserving an independent, sovereign state, while acknowledging Russia's potential mobilisation of 300,000 additional soldiers after September parliamentary elections.