Conducting an election campaign in Ukraine before the war is over would be a kind of political poison for the country that could destroy it from within.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said this today in Brussels at a press conference after receiving the honorary award named after Gdansk Mayor Paweł Adamowicz during a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
This is how he answered the journalists’ question whether he considers it appropriate, as the US administration and the Russian aggressor insist, to hold elections in Ukraine before the end of the war, and whether the electoral process will contribute to the unity of society.
“Elections are the norm for a democratic country. But let me explain the situation. Almost 10 million Ukrainians have left the country, and almost as many are displaced within Ukraine. Many – about a million people – have donned uniforms and are fighting at the front. The situation is difficult, and every day we are losing our heroes, our soldiers, and parts of our territory. At this time, any political campaign, with its political competition, populism and criticism, can weaken the country and even destroy it from within,” said the mayor of the capital of Ukraine.
He expressed his conviction that elections in Ukraine will definitely be held, but they should be approached step by step – first, to achieve sustainable peace, and only then to organize elections.
“In the current situation, elections are poison for our homeland. This is my personal opinion,” Klitschko emphasized.
He noted that in these circumstances, it is important to keep a cool head, even in the face of harsh rhetoric from American partners, and to do everything possible to maintain unity within the country and unity among all those who support Ukraine abroad.
“Yes, I sometimes feel that some political forces are already preparing for the elections. But what are you talking about? The question of whether Ukraine will exist or not, whether it will survive as a state, is still open. We are just now fighting for our independence and territorial integrity. In these circumstances, it would not be wise to prepare for any elections. It should be done step by step. We must unite all our forces to stop the war. After that – elections,” added the mayor of Kyiv.
He also emphasized that the main condition for achieving peace should be providing Ukraine with clear security guarantees that will not allow Russia to unleash war again in a certain time. Ukraine already has a sad experience with the security guarantees contained in the Budapest Memorandum, which turned out to be empty. If Ukraine’s membership in NATO is not yet seen as an element of security guarantees, then Ukraine must acquire defense capabilities sufficient to deter Russia in the future.
According to Klitschko, peace and security are two inseparable issues. And that is why it is so important to have both Ukraine and its European partners at the table.
Answering journalists’ questions about whether Ukraine is ready to give up territories for the sake of peace, the mayor of Kyiv said that such an approach to peaceful settlement is unfair.
“Let’s talk, look for compromises and solutions. But giving up territory to the Russians is not a compromise, it is not a solution, it is a shell game. That is why the integrity of Ukraine, its unity and independence are the top priorities for our country,” Klitschko’s words were greeted with applause by the journalists and politicians in the audience.
While receiving the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, Klitschko also called on his partners to step up their assistance at the most critical time for Ukraine.
“In the European Parliament, I called on European partners to increase assistance at the most critical moment for Ukraine. And when I received the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, I emphasized that this is not only a recognition of my work as the mayor of Kyiv. It is a recognition of the commitment to the values of freedom and democracy, the heroism of the entire Ukrainian people who have been fighting for their statehood for almost three years. For the principles and security of the democratic world,” the Kyiv mayor wrote on Facebook.
Klitschko noted that these principles were once advocated by the mayor of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz, who, according to the Kyiv mayor, demonstrated that leadership is not just about management. It is primarily about humanity, solidarity and service to people, especially those who need it most.
“This is what world leaders and politicians must understand today when they make decisions about assistance and solidarity with Ukraine. Because justice is on Ukraine’s side,” he added.
The Paweł Adamowicz Prize is an initiative of the European Committee of the Regions, the city of Gdańsk and the international network ICORN. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to strengthening local democracy, protecting human rights and supporting civic solidarity.
Adamowicz was known as a courageous fighter for the democratic rights of people and local communities, and was killed in 2019 while performing his duties.
Vitali Klitschko became the fourth mayor to receive the award since its inception.
As reported, the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions is taking place in Brussels this week.
Photo: Vitali Klitschko / Facebook
Source: Holding elections during war can destroy Ukraine from within - Kyiv Mayor
