At least two political rivals of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have declared their opposition to holding elections while the war with Russia continues, according to a report by Newsweek. The development comes amid reports of a secret meeting between senior members of Petro Poroshenko’s party, Yuliia Tymoshenko, and close allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Politico reported that the meeting, which involved four senior members of Trump’s entourage, focused on the feasibility of holding elections in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. The discussions reportedly centered on how quickly elections could be organized and the potential challenges of conducting a vote amid the war.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky confirmed a devastating Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of four people and left 30 others injured. The attack underscores the continued violence and instability in the region, further complicating the possibility of holding elections.
Zelensky’s political rivals, including Tymoshenko and members of Poroshenko’s party, have argued that elections would be impractical and potentially dangerous under the current circumstances. They emphasized the need to prioritize national security and unity over political processes.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the debate over elections highlights the complex challenges facing Ukraine as it seeks to balance democratic processes with the realities of an ongoing war. The situation remains fluid, with international observers closely monitoring developments in the region.