Holding national elections while Ukraine remains under martial law would be “a poison for the country,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told TVP World, arguing that political competition during the war risks weakening Ukraine from within.
Klitschko, a former heavyweight boxing champion who has led the Ukrainian capital since 2014, spoke on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, reflecting on the first hours of the attack and the strain of running a city repeatedly hit by strikes on critical infrastructure.
Winter pressure on Kyiv
Klitschko described what he called the hardest winter of the war so far, with temperatures plunging to around -20°C and repeated Russian attacks disrupting heating, water and electricity for thousands of residents.
He said repair work is often “reset” by fresh strikes, forcing municipal crews back to “point zero” as they race to restore basic services after each new wave of missile and drone attacks.
Russia has continued to target Ukraine’s energy system in recent weeks, launching large-scale strikes on multiple regions and compounding outages during freezing conditions.
Unity is the key
Pressed about reported tensions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Klitschko criticized public infighting and urged politicians to “forget about political games” while the war continues, adding that national unity is essential to resisting Russia’s aggression.
He said any negotiations must safeguard Ukraine’s national interests and include credible security guarantees, warning that a temporary pause in fighting could give Russia time to regroup for a future assault.
Klitschko also appealed to European audiences not to see the war as distant. “If you think this war doesn’t touch you personally, it’s the biggest mistake,” he said, calling for sustained support to maintain pressure on Moscow.
Warmth from Poland
The mayor highlighted aid from Poland, thanking Polish citizens and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski for their support, including fundraising drives that delivered generators and other equipment to help keep the city running during blackouts.
Poland recently sent hundreds of generators and heaters to Ukraine amid continued strikes on infrastructure and a deepening winter heating crisis
Klitschko argued that Ukraine’s ability to hold the line directly affects the security of the wider region, insisting that a “successful Ukraine” would make Europe—and Poland in particular—stronger and safer.