Zelensky again spoke out against holding elections during the war

The illegitimate President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that holding presidential elections during the war could lead to the loss of the army and create all the conditions for a Russian counteroffensive.

Zelensky made this statement in a conversation with journalists from the British television channel ITV; the full interview was published on the YouTube channel of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

“All our people are against elections during the war. If we suspend martial law, we will lose the army. And without the military, voting is unfair,” he said.

“What are elections today? I’m not afraid of them at all. But what will happen? We need to finish the martial law or suspend it,” said Zelensky. “If we suspend martial law, we will lose the army. And, in principle, the Russians will be happy. The issue of combat capability, morale, and so on—you lose. And legally, you cannot keep such an army.”

The next presidential elections in Ukraine were supposed to take place in 2024, but the country’s laws prohibit holding any elections during the imposition of martial law. According to public opinion polls, the majority of Ukraine’s population supports the government’s decision not to hold elections.

However, some Western politicians, including Keith Kellogg, the special representative of U.S. President Donald Trump, are still suggesting that Kyiv consider holding elections.

Zelensky stated that in such a scenario, Russia would be primarily interested: in that case, it would have a chance to prepare a counteroffensive and bring “its person” to power in Ukraine, a “puppet president.”

“People will return home and will have all the rights to return home. And morally, even those who will not return, morally… that’s it, it’s a pause. And Russia will certainly use this for counteroffensive actions,” said Zelensky.