Zelensky dismisses elections: “Would divide”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says it would be risky to hold elections during the ongoing Russian invasion.
– Elections now would be a tsunami for the country that would divide Ukraine, comments Zelensky.
During the full-scale Russian invasion war, the president has repeatedly held press conferences in a fairly free format for both Ukrainian and international journalists.
Recently, such press conferences have not been held, but now he has once again received reporters from international media. The interviews took place on Saturday, but will be published on Sunday.
“Destroy our country”
His reflection on an election comes after the surprising statement by the dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov about national elections.
– If we want to destroy our country in a time of war, then we should move in that direction, Zelenskyy says.
It is the first time that the 48-year-old president has commented on Fedorov’s statement in front of the international press. Extensive protests in Ukraine have followed the decision to dismiss the popular Defense Minister Fedorov.
But Zelenskyy was asked a number of questions during the press conference, including about Ukrainian and Russian opportunities to use Elon Musk’s company Starlink and its satellite system. Musk has decided to limit Russia’s access to Starlink.
Own satellite system
– Russia is constructing an equivalent to Starlink together with the Chinese – and they believe it could be ready by December 2026.
He adds that Ukraine is developing a similar system with “a European country”.
Zelensky suggests that contacts between Fedorov and the US regarding Starlink were part of Fedorov's forced resignation from the ministerial post. He also claims that Fedorov was offered four high-ranking positions, but turned them down.
The talks also comment on Ukraine's attacks deep inside Russian territory. Zelensky says that the military is targeting launch pads for Russian missiles to try to stop Russian attacks.
Zero corruption issues
A direct reason is that the number of Patriot air defense missiles has decreased sharply. In 2023, Ukraine received 675 missiles. This year, Ukraine is expected to receive 264 Patriot missiles.
At the press conference, the Ukrainian president will also be asked about the extensive efforts against corruption, where searches have been carried out against, among others, a deputy head of his office.
– The anti-corruption unit had zero questions for me, Zelensky replies.
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