Zelenskyy: Russia pushes for elections in Ukraine to install puppet president

This opinion was expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with ITV News.  

"For them, this is the model Ukraine followed for 30 years. They understand a system where they can control Ukraine institutionally, prevent its development, and block its path to the European Union. They want strong economic ties with Russia so that Ukraine remains, as they used to say, 'a raw materials appendage of Russia.' In other words, to extract resources and use them. Ukraine has excellent agriculture and high-quality products—so let’s consume them, but not let Ukraine sell them. They want to control everything, trade it themselves, while we are reduced to mere laborers working for Russia," Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that "this was the very ideology of Russia."  

"Ukrainian culture, language, and more were deliberately destroyed. The reason is clear—to make us part of Russia’s vision for the future, its economy, and its armed forces. That’s the point. That’s why they need a puppet president," the head of state said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also outlined the risks the country could face if elections were held before the war ends.  

“What do elections mean? … We would have to end or suspend martial law. If we suspend it, we will lose the army. And, essentially, the Russians will be happy. You lose combat readiness and morale. Legally, you can’t maintain such an army. And that’s a fact… Russia will undoubtedly exploit this for offensives and counteroffensives,” he said.  

The president also noted that elections must ensure voting rights for all citizens.  

“How will the military vote? Again, this is technically very complicated. Holding elections without them is unfair. They are the ones defending our democracy. But what kind of democracy is it if those who protect it can’t vote? We need to figure out how to address this. And what about the millions of people abroad? There are 8 million of them—how can we hold elections without their participation? It is crucial to ensure they can exercise their right as Ukrainian citizens,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

He also raised concerns about the possibility of holding elections in Russian-occupied territories.  

“How can people in temporarily occupied areas, controlled by the Russians, vote fairly? What would that even look like? It would be just like the so-called referendum in Crimea—a vote held at gunpoint,” the Ukrainian president emphasized, adding that Russia aims for “complete destabilization in Ukraine.”  

“That’s why I would be very cautious with this issue,” he concluded.

• On Saturday, February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined the benefits for men aged 18-24 who enlist in the Defense Forces under a special contract.