Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that the nation is prepared to hold elections if international partners, specifically the United States and European allies, guarantee the necessary security and logistical support for the process. This declaration comes in response to heightened international scrutiny and recent assertions by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Kyiv is extending the conflict to avoid a national vote. Elections in Ukraine have been halted since Russia’s full-scale invasion triggered martial law, which also extended Zelensky’s term beyond its scheduled May 2024 end date.
Speaking to reporters following a wide-ranging interview, Zelensky committed to exploring legal amendments that would allow voting during wartime, noting that an election could potentially be organized within 60 to 90 days provided Washington and European nations secure the voting environment. He stressed that the decision to proceed rests with the Ukrainian people, dismissing allegations that he is attempting to maintain power as “completely unreasonable.”
Navigating Legal and Logistical Hurdles
Holding a national election presents immense operational and security challenges. Major factors impacting feasibility include the safety of polling locations under persistent threat of Russian strikes and the ability of millions of eligible voters to participate. Approximately 5.7 million Ukrainians remain refugees abroad, and countless soldiers on the front lines would require leave to cast ballots.
While opposition figures acknowledge the necessity of democratic norms, many express concerns about the integrity of a rushed wartime vote. Golos party representative Lesia Vasylenko stated that fair elections are impossible unless participation is guaranteed for all Ukrainians, including military personnel. Oleksiy Goncharenko of European Solidarity underscored that the campaign process—including debates and organization—is fundamentally incompatible with current conditions under martial law.
Domestically, a strong, bipartisan consensus currently exists against holding elections during the conflict. Oleksandr Merezhko, a foreign policy committee chair from Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, warned that a political campaign would inevitably be divisive, potentially serving the Kremlin’s interests.
Public Opinion Shifts on Wartime Voting
While public pressure for immediate elections is low, sentiment has evolved. A survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology registered a decline in opposition to elections before a comprehensive settlement, falling from 78% in March to 63% in September. Correspondingly, support for proceeding with a vote after a ceasefire with security guarantees saw an increase from 9% to 22%.
Analysts reiterate that securing polling stations, ensuring that internally displaced citizens and active service members can vote, and protecting the entire process from ongoing missile attacks remain monumental tasks.
International Scrutiny and Peace Talks Pressure
Zelensky’s renewed openness to elections coincides with increased pressure from Trump, who has suggested that Ukraine’s democracy is undermined and pushed for a peace agreement that could involve Kyiv ceding territory. Moscow, which has labeled Zelensky’s continued presidency illegitimate, has welcomed Trump’s remarks, stating they align with Russia’s demands for new elections as a precursor to any ceasefire.
Amid these international pressures, Zelensky toured European capitals following stalled talks with the U.S., urgently warning NATO and European Union leaders to deter any U.S.-backed settlement that would compel Ukraine to surrender land, reiterating the nation’s unwavering commitment to territorial sovereignty. The primary next step for Kyiv involves drafting proposals to amend election laws under martial law and formally soliciting the necessary concrete security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe to safeguard a national vote.