The Ukrainian nation should focus not on the idea of holding elections, but on strengthening trust between the government and the people and sharing responsibility for decision-making.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, made this statement during the National Roundtable marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, ‘35 Years of Restored Independence: Unity Around the Flag’, convened at the initiative of the Kyiv Security Forum.
"We need the government of national unity, where the people trust the government and the government takes care of its people. This is important for our victory in the war. There are discussions about elections. Elections cannot be legally held today. Fair, transparent and democratic elections are not possible. If the elections could bring Ukraine closer to victory, why did putin propose holding them last year through our American partners? Thinking about winning elections may lead to losing the war. Therefore, we must first win the war," he said.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that the strength of the Ukrainian nation lies in its unity, and that the government should therefore bring together the efforts of the entire Ukrainian political establishment.
"Let me suggest that the key state body headed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine – the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine – include representatives of all political forces, so that political responsibility for all decisions made in the country is shared. And to ensure that Ukrainian government officials likewise do not think about elections, which will take place only after victory in the war, members of the government should make a political declaration that they have no electoral ambitions and will not stand for election to the country's next parliament,” the KSF Chairman said.
Speaking about the government's actions, the former Prime Minister stressed the importance of a 12-month action plan rather than an open-ended one.
"This is necessary so that parliament can hold each member of the government, who is a public servant rather than a politician, accountable for what has been done," the politician explained.
He also emphasized the importance of completing judicial reform, which is a key step in Ukraine's path toward the EU.
"And this kind of public dialogue we are having today should demonstrate inside the country that we are strong, and show our enemy, putin, that our strength will enable us to win this war," Arseniy Yatsenyuk concluded.
Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk ‘Open Ukraine’ Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. The Kyiv Security Forum brings together prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists and journalists. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine at the forefront of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on pressing security issues.