Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly dismissed suggestions of holding national elections while the country remains at war, asserting that such an undertaking would pose a significant threat to national unity.

Responding for the first time to a proposal by former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, President Zelenskyy articulated his concerns, stating that wartime elections could "split Ukraine" and represent a "tsunami for the state." His criticism underscores the profound challenges and potential instability that a national ballot could introduce amidst the ongoing conflict.

The president's rejection comes as Russia continues its military aggression, with intelligence indicating Moscow is amassing ballistic missiles. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia is reportedly considering the mobilisation of an additional 300,000 soldiers following its own September polls, a move that would further escalate the conflict. He also noted that Russia has shown no inclination towards a ceasefire, making the prospect of free and fair elections particularly challenging.

Zelenskyy emphasised the impracticality of conducting elections under current conditions, where large parts of the country are under occupation, millions are displaced, and the nation's focus remains on defence. The logistical and security hurdles, combined with the deeply divisive nature of political campaigns during a national crisis, appear to be central to his concerns about internal fragmentation.