The Kremlin stated on 19/8 that Ukraine's leadership is "deeply divided" following a call for elections by former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on the internal situation, saying, "The Ukrainian government is complex and lacks unity. Some invoke democracy and democratic norms, while others do not bother." President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated the need for elections in Ukraine, arguing that President Zelensky would lack the necessary legitimacy for direct negotiations with Russia if polls are not held. Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on these statements.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in St. Petersburg on 4/6. *Photo: Reuters*

Fedorov's appeal for elections came just hours after President Zelensky nominated General Yevhen Khmara as Ukraine's defense minister, effectively blocking Fedorov's return to the government. This move indicated a significant deterioration in relations between Zelensky and Fedorov within a few weeks.

A Rating Group poll published on 22/7 indicated that if an election were held in Ukraine, Zelensky would receive 22.3% of the votes in the first round. Former commander-in-chief of the armed forces Valerii Zaluzhny, former minister Fedorov, and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office, would receive 14.9%, 13.4%, and 7.2% of the votes respectively.

Ukraine last held elections in 2019, when Volodymyr Zelensky defeated former president Petro Poroshenko to win a five-year term. The conflict began two years before his term was set to end. President Zelensky declared martial law nationwide on 25/2/2022, one day after hostilities erupted, and has extended it multiple times. Theoretically, Zelensky's term ended in 5/2024, but Ukraine has not held elections because its constitution prohibits them during martial law. Furthermore, Ukraine would find it difficult to ensure a free, fair, and safe electoral process amidst ongoing conflict.

Former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov at a press conference on 16/7 in Kyiv. *Photo: AP*

President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that elections would only be held once the conflict concludes, which has sparked debate regarding his legitimacy. Russian officials have previously declared Zelensky is no longer the legitimate president of Ukraine due to his term's expiration, emphasizing that Moskva needs to identify Kyiv's representative for negotiations. Some opposition figures in Ukraine also argue that Zelensky's title and decisions from 20/5/2024 onwards are fundamentally illegitimate, as his term has ended. Others believe the issue of Zelensky's legitimacy could affect Ukraine's peace negotiations or be exploited by Russia to seek concessions.

By Ngoc Anh (Reuters, AFP)