Recently, in the public space of Ukraine, there are more and more conversations about possible elections – both presidential and parliamentary. Some politicians and analysts cautiously predict the end of the war in 2025, and, accordingly, the restoration of the political process in peaceful conditions. However, against the background of these hopes, there are also voices that emphasize the danger of a hasty return to electoral practice during martial law. People’s deputy Dmytro Razumkov became one of such critical voices.
In a recent interview, he stated, that the war may end in 2025.
“Do I believe that the war can end in 2025? Yes, I do. And I’ve said this many times. I’m starting from many aspects, including, and perhaps primarily, from an economic point of view. Because, as scary as it sounds, war is also economics.
The situation at the front today is difficult. And I don’t need to tell you about it – you yourself understand it perfectly. It is very convenient to sit in bunkers, warm offices and tell how to love the Motherland. To talk about operations, about strategies, about the borders of 1991 or 1922 and the like. But when you come to the front line and see what is really happening there, you are not faced with what they want to show you. And not even with what you want to see. And with the way it is. And these realities are very difficult. You and I know it. And here you need to speak honestly and openly.
I believe that there is a high probability that the war will end in 2025. This follows from the position of the United States, especially against the background of the new administration. This is also evident from the general state of Ukrainian society. We see how political life has begun to recover. I can’t say unequivocally whether it’s good or bad. On the one hand, politics is part of the democratic process. On the other hand, today it creates problems both for the army and for society itself.” – thinks Dmytro Razumkov.
According to him, when the war ends, then elections should be held. At the same time, he explained why he was talking about such a sequence. Conducting elections in conditions of war is an imitation of democracy, not its embodiment. According to Razumkov, full-fledged and fair elections in Ukraine are possible only after the end of hostilities and the abolition of martial law.
“I am talking about this sequence, because if someone comes up with a system to hold elections during martial law, then Zelensky will get 102%. There is no need to go far. I understand how it will happen: TCCs will be placed near each polling station, and all those who do not support the current government will be mobilized immediately near the polling stations. This is an example. And if someone decides to hold elections in Diya, then the one who will control “Diya” will also get 102%. If the Rashists break “Diya”, then Lukashenko will get 102% in the elections in Ukraine. And there are many such examples.
Freedom of speech is extremely important for Ukraine, for democracy, and for elections. Objectively, if the war continues, there will be no freedom of speech. There will be no democracy. There will be no opportunity to campaign. The military will not be able to take part in the elections”, – emphasized the people’s deputy.
Therefore, the politician expressed distrust in the idea of electronic voting through Diya, stressing that in the conditions of war, any technological or legal attempt to organize elections will be perceived as manipulation, devaluing the very idea of choice.
According to him, the state needs to take care not only of the formal conduct of the procedures, but also of ensuring that the elections are truly free, competitive and protected — and this is possible only in conditions of peace.
