President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Ukraine is “ready for elections” after US President Donald Trump repeated accusations that Kyiv exploits the war to avoid them.
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term should have ended in May 2024. However, martial law declared after Russia’s invasion has suspended all elections.
Zelensky responded to Trump’s broad Politico interview by promising to request proposals for legal changes. He said elections could occur within 60 to 90 days if the US and allies ensure vote security.
“I’m asking now, openly, for the US to help – perhaps with European colleagues – to secure the elections,” Zelensky told reporters. He emphasised that “the issue of elections in Ukraine depends first on our people, not other countries’ people. With all due respect to our partners.” Zelensky dismissed rumours of clinging to power or presidency to prolong the war as “frankly, a completely unreasonable narrative.”
Zelensky won the 2019 election with over 73% of the vote. Russia repeatedly labels Zelensky illegitimate and demands new elections for any ceasefire; a point Trump echoes.
“They talk about democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore,” Trump told Politico. He has claimed, without evidence, that Zelensky blocks peace as US-led talks seek a Ukraine war end.
Wartime election challenges
Frontline soldiers might miss voting or need leave. The UN reports 5.7 million Ukrainians live abroad due to the conflict. Ballots would demand extra security. A Ukrainian opposition MP told the BBC that fair elections require all Ukrainians to participate, including frontline troops.
“Elections are never possible in wartime,” Lesia Vasylenko said on BBC World Service’s Newsday, citing the UK’s World War Two election suspension.
Domestic views on Ukraine elections
Since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, election talks have dominated headlines.
Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign policy committee, said little domestic pressure exists for Zelensky to call elections during conflict.
“There is strong consensus among politicians and civil organisations against elections under martial law,” the Servant of the People MP told the BBC.
“There is absolutely no chance to hold elections. Even the opposition against Zelensky opposes them, understanding the war’s dangers.”
Merezhko called the idea “exactly what Putin would want.” He said an election campaign would divide Ukraine. “Having failed to destroy us from outside, Putin wants to destroy us from within, using elections as another tool.”
A March poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found 78% opposed elections after a ceasefire with security guarantees, insisting on full settlement first. The September poll showed opposition at 63%, with 22% (up from 9%) accepting elections post-ceasefire with guarantees.
Foreign policy analyst Hanna Shelest of Ukrainian Prism told BBC World Service’s Newsroom that Zelensky declared readiness for elections a year ago under prior pressure. She questioned creating Zelensky’s outlined conditions, given soldier and refugee voters, unsecured areas and strikes.
“You cannot guarantee polling station security,” she said.
Broader pressures on Zelensky
Trump continues pressing Zelensky for a peace deal, urging him to “play ball” by ceding territory to Moscow. Putin refuses compromise on full Donbas claim (Luhansk and Donetsk regions), occupying most but not all.
Trump called European leaders “weak” and hinted at reduced US Ukraine support.
Zelensky tours Europe diplomatically after failed weekend US-Ukraine talks. He urges European and Nato leaders to block any US deal exposing Ukraine to future attacks. He rules out land surrender.
Source: BBC
Also read: Zelensky meets Pope Leo XIV ahead of new Ukraine peace plan for US
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