The latest statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the holding of elections in the country have sparked many reactions. While the date of the legislative elections was initially scheduled for October this year, and that of the presidential elections for March 2024, Zelensky said that the time was not right for these elections to be held.
This decision can be explained by the context of the Russian invasion which began more than a year and a half ago. For Zelensky, the current priority is the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression. He believes that the conflict situation makes it inappropriate to hold elections and calls for national unity to face the challenges that arise.
This position of the Ukrainian president has sparked debates among leaders, particularly on the question of democracy and the legitimacy of the power in place in the absence of elections. Ukraine’s Western allies, such as the United States, have pressed the country to hold democratic elections, but Zelensky stresses that nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory is occupied by Russia and millions of Ukrainians are refugees. abroad, which poses major security challenges.
In addition, the current martial law also poses an obstacle to the organization of elections. The law should be amended to allow them to be held under this exceptional regime. Zelensky says there is no room for conflicts and warns of the consequences of carelessness in introducing the subject of elections in wartime.
Against the backdrop of the Russian invasion, Ukraine continues to face daily attacks from Russia. kyiv recently accused Moscow of firing missiles and launching attack drones from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Faced with this situation, Ukraine fears in particular an attack on its energy infrastructure, as already happened last winter, which led to heating and power cuts for millions of people.
Despite the challenges it faces, the Ukrainian army continues to carry out operations to reduce the Russian strike force. Zelensky recently welcomed the destruction of a Russian ship at the Kerch shipyard in annexed Ukrainian Crimea.
However, internal tragedies also affect Ukraine, such as a grenade explosion that claimed the life of a close advisor to the Ukrainian army commander. This accident is a reminder of the dangers faced by soldiers in the field.
In conclusion, Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to postpone the elections in Ukraine reflects the major challenges the country faces as a result of the Russian invasion. This decision sparks debates on democracy and the legitimacy of the power in place, but it also highlights security issues and the need for national unity in the face of Russian aggression.