Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that elections in Ukraine will be postponed while the country continues its war against Russia’s invasion. Here’s the full story.
The Speech
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In a recent speech, Zelenskyy shared the inadvisability of holding elections while the war with Russia rages on.
Not the Time for Elections
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“Now is not the time for elections. Now everyone should think about defending our country. We need to pull ourselves together, avoid unwinding and splitting up into disputes or other priorities,” he said.
“If there is no victory, there will be no country. Our victory is possible,” he added.
Ukraine’s Ongoing Struggle
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Ukraine has been under a state of martial law since February 2022, battling the Russian invasion.
The conflict, which began in February 2022, has resulted in widespread casualties and significant challenges for the country.
The Background
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Zelenskyy’s announcement comes at a time when parliamentary elections would have typically taken place, had it not been for the ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy’s decision to postpone elections is a strategic move in the midst of the intense war with Russia.
The Possibility of Holding Presidential Elections
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had recently mentioned that the president was evaluating the possibility of holding presidential elections in 2024.
Zelenskyy, who took office in May 2019, is eligible for re-election in March 2024.
Absolutely Irresponsible
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In his speech, Zelenskyy also warned against introducing the subject of elections during a time of war, considering it “absolutely irresponsible.”
The U.S. Has Spent Over $100 Billion
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While Zelenskyy’s decision to delay elections might raise diplomatic concerns, given the association of international support with democratic principles, he stressed the need for a unified approach to the war effort.
The U.S. has been a key supporter of Ukraine, spending over $100 billion on the conflict, with additional funding proposed by the Biden administration.
The Tensions
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Zelenskyy’s call for unity comes amid reported tensions between the president and his top general, Valery Zaluzhnyy.
Zaluzhnyy had compared the state of the battlefield to a World War I stalemate, a viewpoint that was rejected by Zelenskyy.
A Tragic Incident
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In a tragic incident on Monday, Zaluzhnyy’s top aide was killed in a grenade explosion at his home.
Ukrainian officials, including Zaluzhnyy, are treating the incident as an accident.
The Public Expressed Their Views
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Several commenters shared their thoughts on the incident.
One commenter said, “Why wouldn’t he? The world fights his battles for him, I’m sure he’ll get election help and more money to boot.”
Sounds Like Communism
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Another added “Zelensky is not letting a crisis go to waste while he invokes martial law to stop an election in his own country. This is the same leader who stopped churches from opening. Sounds like communism.”
He Is Acting like a Dictator
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A third commented, “He is acting like a dictator and thinks the country will never manage without him like many other dictators. He must have built up a huge fortune already from all the US military aid sent to Ukraine.”
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