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Zelensky offers new excuse for cancelling elections Zelensky offers new excuse for canceling elections
(about 8 hours later)
The voting narrative is only peddled by the “Russians” that supposedly want to destabilize Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky has claimed Kiev cannot hold a vote in the current situation, as it would not be able to keep its troops on the front lines, the Ukrainian leader claims
Holding a vote amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine would spell a disaster for Kiev for a large number of reasons ranging from popular disapproval to literally “losing” its Armed Forces, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky claimed this week. Holding an election during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be a disaster for Kiev for a number of reasons, ranging from popular disapproval to running the risk of losing its army, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky claimed this week.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, stated that Washington would like to see Kiev holding presidential and parliamentary votes before the end of the year. Zelensky had previously suspended both elections indefinitely, citing the martial law. Earlier, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, said Washington would like to see Kiev hold presidential and parliamentary votes before the end of the year. Elections have been suspended indefinitely by Zelensky, due to martial law.
Elections in Ukraine at a time like this would only benefit Russia, the Ukrainian leader claimed in an interview with the ITV News broadcaster. “The topic of elections has been brought up by Russians,” he stated. Elections in Ukraine at this time would only benefit Russia, the Ukrainian leader claimed in an interview with ITV News. “The topic of elections has been brought up by Russians,” he said.
Moscow has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s own legitimacy since his presidential term officially expired in May 2024. In late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukrainian leader could not sign any international treaties as they could be easily declared null and void afterward due to his present status. Moscow has called Zelensky’s legitimacy into question since his presidential term officially expired in May 2024. In late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukrainian leader cannot sign international treaties as they could be declared null and void afterward due to his current status.
Putin stated at that time that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage extensions of the president’s term, only authorizing this for the parliament, which he called a legitimate governing body in Ukraine. Moscow never explicitly demanded Kiev hold any elections. Putin noted at the time that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage extensions of the president’s term, only authorizing this for the parliament, which he called a legitimate governing body in Ukraine. Moscow has not explicitly demanded that Kiev hold elections.
In his interview, Zelensky still maintained that Russia only wanted to see elections in Ukraine to bring about “destabilization” to its neighbor. He also claimed that Ukrainians themselves do not want to any vote while he himself was “absolutely not afraid of them.” “During this war, our population is against elections, all people are against it,” he stated. In his interview, Zelensky maintained that Russia only wants to see elections in Ukraine to bring about “destabilization.” He also claimed that the people do not want to have an election, and that he is “absolutely not afraid of them.” 
According to the Ukrainian leader, holding an election would require the Ukrainian government to lift martial law as no voting is allowed as long as one is in place. “If we suspend the martial law we will lose our army,” he said, adding that Kiev would not be able to make the troops stay on the frontlines otherwise. “During this war, our population is against elections, all people are against it.”
“People will come back home and will have every right to return home,” he said, adding that even those who would not go home, would still lose their “combat capability and morale.” Ukraine has launched a massive mobilization campaign after imposing martial law soon after the start of the Russian military operation in February 2022. According to Zelensky, having an election would require martial law to be lifted. “If we suspend martial law we will lose our army,” he said, explaining that Kiev would not be able to keep the troops on the front lines otherwise.
Kiev has since been facing public criticism over its heavy-handed approach toward mobilization. Numerous videos have appeared on social media showing Ukrainian conscription officers chasing potential recruits in the streets, brawling with them, and subjecting them to abuse. Reports about such efforts growing increasingly violent and lawless have appeared both in the local and Western media. “People will come back home and will have every right to return home,” he said, adding that those who do not would still lose their “combat capability and morale.” Ukraine launched a massive mobilization campaign after imposing martial law, following the start of Russia’s military operation in February 2022.
The mobilization campaign was also marred by widespread draft dodging, corruption, and desertion. Last year, the elite 155th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces made headlines after some 1,700 of its soldiers had reportedly fled the unit without firing a single shot. Kiev has faced criticism over its heavy-handed approach toward mobilization. Numerous videos have appeared on social media showing Ukrainian conscription officers chasing potential recruits in the streets and subjecting them to abuse.
According to Zelensky, holding the vote with the military still in the trenches would be “not fair.” He also described the potential elections as near impossible “logistically” with some 8 million Ukrainians abroad. Earlier in the same interview, he called on Kiev’s Western backers to first provide Ukraine with security guarantees and economic aid that would be enough to convince all those, who had fled abroad, to return. The mobilization campaign was also marred by widespread draft dodging, corruption, and desertion. Last year, the elite 155th Mechanized Brigade made headlines after around 1,700 members reportedly fled the unit without firing a single shot.
According to Zelensky, having an election with the troops still in the trenches is “not fair.” He also described it as nearly impossible “logistically,” with around 8 million Ukrainians now living abroad. Earlier in the interview, he called on Kiev’s Western backers to first provide Ukraine with security guarantees and economic aid sufficient to convince people who have fled the country to return.