Wartime elections would 'destroy' Ukraine, says Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia would pose significant risks to Ukraine, rejecting calls from his former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov who advocated for wartime presidential elections. Zelensky emphasized that elections during active conflict could destabilize the country, comparing them to a 'tsunami' that might divide Ukraine. The dispute emerged amid a political crisis following Zelensky's dismissal of Fedorov, which sparked protests and internal military tensions. Fedorov, known for supporting drone warfare strategies, suggested organizing elections despite the challenges posed by Russian attacks, refugee populations, and logistical hurdles. Public opinion remains divided, with only 15% believing elections should occur before the war ends. Zelensky criticized Fedorov during a press briefing, suggesting his actions were misguided, while Fedorov plans to visit the U.S., raising questions about potential political rivalry.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated that holding elections during the ongoing conflict with Russia would pose a severe risk to the nation, describing such a move as a "tsunami" capable of fracturing the country. His remarks were released on Sunday following calls from his former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who urged for the organization of a presidential election amidst the war. Under martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022, elections are suspended, a decision broadly supported by the Ukrainian populace focused on resisting the Russian invasion. Zelensky, who became president in 2019 after serving as a television comedian, has previously faced pressure from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to conduct an election despite the continuous missile and drone attacks from Russia. In a press briefing on Saturday, Zelensky emphasized that elections during this period of war would be extremely perilous, stating they could lead to the destruction of the country. He warned that if the goal was to dismantle Ukraine, then moving forward with elections during these times would be the path taken. The current political turmoil in Kyiv began earlier this summer when Zelensky dismissed Fedorov, a popular defense minister. This action sparked widespread protests demanding his reinstatement, while Fedorov criticized the military leadership. The situation escalated to the point where Zelensky was compelled to replace his chief of staff, Oleksandr Syrsky, perceived as a rival to Fedorov. Recently, Fedorov unexpectedly called for organizing elections, although he did not explicitly declare intent to challenge Zelensky. This move caused even some of his supporters to distance themselves from him. Experts highlight several challenges in conducting elections, including the logistical complexities of voting for soldiers deployed on the front lines, millions of Ukrainian refugees abroad, and individuals residing in areas occupied by Russia. Additionally, there is the threat of Russian interference and direct attacks. According to a recent opinion poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, only 15 percent of respondents believe elections should be held before the war concludes. Zelensky criticized Fedorov, suggesting he might be heading towards making incorrect decisions. Fedorov had been a key advocate for Ukraine's drone warfare strategy and had promoted army reforms that earned public support. However, publicly advocating for an election is a calculated risk that could potentially diminish his popularity. Fedorov's team confirmed to AFP that he plans to travel to the United States soon, a journey likely to reignite speculation about his intentions regarding a potential rivalry with Zelensky. Amidst the internal political strife, the war has seen an intensification with Moscow launching more frequent attacks using difficult-to-intercept ballistic missiles, revealing gaps in Ukraine's air defenses. Concurrently, Ukraine has ramped up its efforts to strike Russian energy and logistics infrastructure, targeting oil refineries and retail warehouses. Zelensky noted a decline in the delivery of critical interceptor missiles for the U.S. Patriot air defense systems, essential for countering Russia's ballistic missiles. He mentioned that the number of such missiles delivered to Ukraine dropped significantly from 675 in 2023 to 364 in 2025, with projections indicating further reductions in 2026. Zelensky requested a supply of 300 missiles for the upcoming winter, highlighting the urgent need for additional support.
Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls for elections during the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling them a 'huge risk' that could 'fracture' the country. The president made these remarks after his former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, publicly urged for elections to combat corruption, despite the ongoing Russian invasion. Zelensky emphasized that holding elections under martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022, would be logistically impossible due to challenges such as voting by mobilized soldiers, refugees abroad, and those living in occupied territories. He warned that pursuing elections now could be seen as a move to 'destroy the country.' Fedorov’s comments sparked controversy, leading to protests across Ukraine and prompting Zelensky to replace both Fedorov and the army commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, who was viewed as aligned with Fedorov.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Zelensky's rejection of elections during wartime and Fedorov's call for elections in a balanced manner, quoting both parties directly without apparent bias. It does not favor one side over the other but provides context on the logistical and political challenges of holding an选举.
Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports Zelensky’s rejection of elections during wartime, citing his direct quotes and contextualizing them within the ongoing conflict and legal restrictions under martial law. It also mentions Fedorov’s call for elections and provides relevant background on Zelensky’s expire
Why objectivity (90): The article presents the situation neutrally, quoting both Zelensky and Fedorov without overt bias. It avoids strong emotional language and frames the issue as a political debate rather than taking sides. However, the title slightly emphasizes Zelensky’s stance, which may introduce a slight framing
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia would pose significant risks to Ukraine, rejecting calls from his former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov who advocated for wartime presidential elections. Zelensky emphasized that elections during active conflict could destabilize the country, comparing them to a 'tsunami' that might divide Ukraine. The dispute emerged amid a political crisis following Zelensky's dismissal of Fedorov, which sparked protests and internal military tensions. Fedorov, known for supporting drone warfare strategies, suggested organizing elections despite the challenges posed by Russian attacks, refugee populations, and logistical hurdles. Public opinion remains divided, with only 15% believing elections should occur before the war ends. Zelensky criticized Fedorov during a press briefing, suggesting his actions were misguided, while Fedorov plans to visit the U.S., raising questions about potential political rivalry.
Bias read (Center): The article presents balanced reporting on the debate between Zelensky and Fedorov regarding wartime elections, citing both perspectives without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from Zelensky expressing concerns about elections during war, as well as background on Fedorov's advocacy.
Why factuality (85): This English version of the story aligns closely with the French original, accurately reporting Zelensky’s statements and the political context. It includes additional details about the international reactions and the current status of elections under martial law. The information is consistent with
Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts without overt emotional language. It covers multiple perspectives, including the political crisis and expert opinions, which contributes to its high objectivity score.
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