Britain says Ukraine must decide when to hold wartime vote

UK Defense Minister Luke Pollard emphasized on Aug. 24 that the decision to hold elections in Ukraine should be left to Ukrainian authorities and society. The UK minister compared the situation to Britain during World War II, when elections did not take place during the ongoing war in Europe. Pollard affirmed that the final decision rests with Ukraine, highlighting that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov have expressed a commitment to defending the country and seeking a peaceful end to the conflict.

Fedorov, on Aug. 18, published a video on YouTube advocating for elections and warning against Russia dictating when Ukrainians can choose their government, urging a broader discussion about the state's future and democracy. The Guardian noted that Fedorov's comments represented a significant political challenge to Zelenskyy since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Zelenskyy stated on Aug. 23 that elections could not be held amid active hostilities, citing the high risks and potential for splitting the nation. He stressed his strategy to bring Ukraine to the end of the war and preserve an independent and sovereign state.