Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is suddenly sounding more open to holding national elections, hinting that the country could move toward its first vote since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. His shift comes just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly accused Kyiv of drifting away from democratic norms.
Zelenskyy, whose term expired in May 2024, said Ukraine could organize nationwide elections within roughly two to three months if its allies provide necessary protections.
A Country at War Weighs a Return to the Ballot Box
Zelenskyy acknowledged that two critical problems must be addressed before Ukrainians can cast ballots: security and changes to the legal framework. The nation has been under martial law since the first days of Russia’s assault, and Ukrainian law bars elections under such conditions. That legal barrier has allowed Zelenskyy to postpone a vote, a decision most Ukrainians have supported.
He said he has already directed lawmakers from his political party to draft bills enabling elections during wartime conditions.
As he explained to reporters via WhatsApp, “Moreover, I am now asking — and I am stating this openly — for the United States, possibly together with our European colleagues, to help me ensure security for holding elections,” adding, “And then, within the next 60–90 days, Ukraine will be ready to hold them.”
Trump Fires Back, Accusing Zelenskyy of Dodging Democracy
Zelenskyy’s remarks followed a round of blistering criticism from Trump, who suggested the Ukrainian leader was avoiding an electoral test under the cover of war. Trump, who has frequently attacked Zelenskyy in recent months, again questioned Ukraine’s democratic standing.
“They haven’t had an election in a long time,” Trump told Politico.
“You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”
Trump has previously labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” and his latest comments added pressure at a delicate moment in Ukraine’s negotiations with Washington.
The former president also claimed Zelenskyy was not fully briefed on the latest White House peace proposal. In the Politico interview, Trump said he heard the Ukrainian leader had not read the administration’s updated terms.
Peace Plan Friction Adds Tension to the Debate
For months, Trump’s team has been pushing a sweeping peace framework aimed at ending a war now entering its fourth year. A 28-point proposal unveiled in late autumn was quickly viewed by Kyiv and several European governments as too accommodating to Moscow. Those concerns prompted Ukrainian leaders to enter direct talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, resulting in a pared-down version of the plan.
Even as disagreements simmer, Kyiv insists it is still fully engaged in diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy reinforced that message this week with a public statement about the ongoing talks.
“We are working very actively on all components of potential steps toward ending the war,” Zelenskyy posted on X on Tuesday. “The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the U.S. Together with the American side, we expect to swiftly make the potential steps as doable as possible.”
He continued with a reaffirmation of Ukraine’s goals: “We are committed to a real peace and remain in constant contact with the United States.”
With political pressure mounting from Washington and Kyiv signaling new flexibility, the question now turns to whether Ukraine can safely deliver an election while the country remains on the front lines of a brutal conflict. The next several weeks may determine whether Zelenskyy’s tentative timeline becomes a historic wartime vote or remains another unrealized promise.
