Zelenskyy says he discussed with Ukrainian parliament ways of holding election

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed growing concerns about holding elections in Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, revealing on Wednesday that he had discussed legal and political challenges surrounding the issue with Ukraine's parliament.

Zelenskyy also urged international partners, including the United States, not to apply pressure regarding the timing of the elections, stressing that Ukraine must handle political and legal matters independently while seeking security assurances from its allies.

Speaking in a nightly video address, Zelenskyy emphasized that he was open to holding elections within three months if Ukraine's allies, particularly the United States, could guarantee the safety and security of the voting process. His comments were in response to suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine’s government was using the ongoing conflict as an excuse to avoid holding elections.

Zelenskyy reaffirmed his commitment to democratic processes but acknowledged the complexity of the situation. "It is not easy, but pressure on this issue is definitely not what we need," he said. "I expect members of parliament to put forward their views. Security challenges depend on partners, primarily America. Political and legal challenges must be answered by Ukraine. And they will be."

Ukraine’s wartime legislation currently bars elections from being held under martial law, and Zelenskyy’s term officially expired last year. Despite this, he faces mounting pressure, notably from President Trump, who has called on Ukraine to hold a vote. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long criticized Zelenskyy as an "illegitimate" negotiating partner due to the lack of elections, a point frequently used by Moscow in its justification for the invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s government and Ukrainian officials have continuously argued that holding elections under the current circumstances—amid frequent Russian air strikes, the presence of nearly a million Russian troops at the front, and millions of displaced Ukrainians—would be impossible and impractical. "Holding elections while our country is under constant attack is simply unfeasible," Zelenskyy stated, reflecting the widespread view among Ukrainian officials.

The president also highlighted the ongoing efforts to secure robust security guarantees from Ukraine’s allies as part of an agreement to bring an end to the war, which is approaching its fourth anniversary. The war has devastated Ukraine’s infrastructure, displaced millions, and left the country in a constant state of military conflict.

As Zelenskyy continues to navigate the complex legal, political, and security challenges of holding an election in wartime, the pressure from both domestic and international stakeholders is likely to intensify. Ukraine’s ability to manage its democratic processes while ensuring national security will be critical in the coming months, especially as the conflict continues to strain the country’s resources and stability.

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