Zelenskyy rejects wartime elections, cites "huge risk"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out wartime elections, warning that such a move would be "a huge risk" and potentially split the nation. Just four days after former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov publicly advocated for elections, Zelenskyy stated that holding polls at this time in the war with Russia would be akin to a "tsunami" for Ukraine.

The ousted minister, who was dismissed last month, argued in a video that democracy should not be "held hostage by Russia" and called for a "legal, safe and realistic mechanism" to restore a full democratic process amidst the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy's decision to reject the idea stems from Article 81 of Ukraine's Constitution, which prohibits elections during a state of martial law.

The former defense minister's push for elections has been seen as the most significant challenge to Zelenskyy's authority since the start of the conflict in February 2022, when Zelenskyy declared martial law to counter Russian forces. Fedorov, who was fired in July amid a feud with Zelenskyy's top general, has been credited with significantly bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities, increasing strikes deep into Russia and expanding the country's arsenal.