🔗 Share this article

The President of Ukraine Zelenskyy has announced he is ready to hold a presidential election during the current war, provided that the Verkhovna Rada and foreign partners allow it. This announcement comes after accusations from the U.S. President that he was refusing to relinquish control.

Obviously annoyed by the remarks from overseas, Zelenskyy stressed that "This is a matter for the population of Ukraine, not for individuals from partner countries, with all appropriate respect to our partners."

Nonetheless, he pledged to examine possibilities for carrying out a election in the coming months. "Given that this issue is now being raised by the leader of the United States, our key partner, I will answer directly: listen, I am willing for elections," Zelenskyy remarked on Tuesday night.

"In addition, I am asking ... the U.S. to support me, perhaps alongside EU partners, to ensure security for the elections, and afterwards within the coming two to three months Ukraine will be prepared to organize the elections. I myself have the determination and readiness for this," he added.

The U.S. President's Criticism and Ukrainian Legal Situation

These remarks were expressed by Trump in a rambling interview conducted by the publication Politico earlier on Tuesday. "They haven't had an election in a considerable period," stated the American leader. "You know, they speak of a democratic nation, but it becomes a situation where it's not a democracy any more."

Zelenskyy's five-year term officially ended in May of last year, but the Ukrainian constitution forbids elections during wartime. Even, his political opponents have often said that safety and political factors do not permit holding an election while the war continues.

"Holding a vote would only cause harm," said Serhiy Rakhmanin. "Zelenskyy is the supreme military commander, and the country is in a state where we don't have that luxury, whatever problems we might have with him. It would only aid the enemy," he concluded.

Logistical and Constitutional Hurdles

Zelenskyy identified two key issues that require solutions: the practical issue of allowing military personnel, the many internally displaced persons, and those living under occupation to vote, and additionally, how to legally conduct a vote given that a state of war is ongoing.

He requested counsel from allies on protecting the elections, and from members of parliament on how to modify the constitution to allow a vote. "{I am expecting proposals from allies, I am waiting for proposals from our parliamentarians, and I am willing to go to the elections," affirmed Zelenskyy.

Wider Political Background

Zelenskyy was speaking while traveling back to Ukraine after concluding a series of visits to multiple EU nations. This comes as the White House has reportedly been increasing pressure on Kyiv to agree to a ceasefire agreement.

Earlier, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., suggested at a forum that Zelenskyy was prolonging the war due to worries of electoral defeat. He also suggested that his father might "withdraw support" from Ukraine if the war continues. "{It's not correct. But it's not exactly wrong," responded Trump, when questioned about his son's claim.

It has been suggested that the U.S. has proposed Ukraine should give up the eastern territories to achieve peace, a proposal that would be highly unpopular within Ukraine. Furthermore, there is currently little indication that Russia is willing to agree to any agreement, even a deal that might seem favorable to Moscow.