Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he is prepared to hold elections and urged American and European partners to assist in securing them, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelensky stated that if security can be guaranteed, elections could take place within the next 60–90 days. He also said he would request Parliament to prepare the necessary legislation to allow elections even under the current state of emergency.
The president’s mandate officially ended in February 2025, but Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada extended his term until the state of emergency is lifted. The law was enacted after Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory, a situation under which normal elections cannot be conducted.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to consider Zelensky an illegitimate president. U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated in an interview with Politico that Ukraine should hold elections, emphasizing that the war should not prevent the Ukrainian people from voting.
Trump commented: “I think it’s an important time for elections. They are using the war as an excuse not to hold elections, but the Ukrainian people should have them. And perhaps Zelensky would win. I don’t know who would win. But they haven’t had elections for a long time.”
