Volodymyr Zelensky says safe vote needs soldiers, frontline residents and citizens "fleeing the war"

Responding to calls by Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense minister he dismissed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that holding a vote while the country is under martial law could fracture Ukraine. Elections have been suspended by law since Russia’s 2022 invasion began. He indicated he would accept an election if Ukraine’s partners laid out clear requirements for a safe and credible ballot, including enabling soldiers and residents of combat zones to vote, enabling millions of Ukrainians who fled the war to cast ballots from abroad, and ensuring no shelling or strikes occur. Zelensky said he removed Fedorov because he overstepped into military matters, and offered him other government posts, which Fedorov declined.