🔗 Share this article

Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy has stated he is willing to hold a presidential election amid the current war, provided that the Verkhovna Rada and foreign partners allow it. This comment comes after claims from the U.S. President that he was holding onto his position.

Clearly irritated by the remarks from overseas, Zelenskyy underscored that "This is a matter for the citizens of Ukraine, not for individuals from other nations, with all due respect to our friends."

However, he vowed to examine possibilities for holding a poll in the coming months. "Since this question is brought up by the President of the U.S., our ally, I will reply succinctly: look, I am willing for elections," Zelenskyy remarked on Tuesday night.

"Furthermore, I am calling on ... the United States to support me, possibly in conjunction with EU colleagues, to provide protection for the elections, and then within the next 60 to 90 days Ukraine will be able to hold the elections. I personally have the determination and preparedness for this," he concluded.

The U.S. President's Assertions and The Country's Constitutional Situation

The comments were made by Trump in a wide-ranging interview released by the publication Politico earlier on Tuesday. "Ukraine have not held an election in a long time," stated the American leader. "You know, they claim to be a democracy, but it gets to a stage where it's not a democracy any more."

Zelenskyy's five-year term came to an end in May of last year, but the country's fundamental law forbids elections in a time of wartime. Furthermore, his political opponents have stated repeatedly that safety and political realities do not permit holding an election amid the ongoing conflict.

"Holding a vote would only cause harm," stated Serhiy Rakhmanin. "He's the supreme military commander, and the country is in a position where we don't have that luxury, regardless of problems we might have with him. It would only help the adversary," he added.

Practical and Constitutional Challenges

Zelenskyy highlighted two key questions that need solving: the logistical issue of allowing military personnel, the many refugees, and those in occupied territories to participate, and secondly, how to constitutionally hold elections when a state of war is in effect.

He requested guidance from allies on safeguarding the elections, and from MPs on how to amend the constitution to permit a election. "{I am waiting for proposals from allies, I am waiting for suggestions from our parliamentarians, and I am willing to go to the elections," said Zelenskyy.

Broader Diplomatic Background

Zelenskyy made these remarks while returning to Ukraine after wrapping up a round of talks to various EU nations. This occurs while the White House has reportedly pushing on Kyiv to sign a ceasefire agreement.

Earlier, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., suggested at a conference that Zelenskyy was dragging out the war due to worries of electoral defeat. He also indicated that his father might "withdraw support" from Ukraine if the war does not end. "{It's not true. But it's not precisely wrong," responded Trump, when asked about his son's statement.

It has been suggested that the U.S. has suggested Ukraine should give up the Donbas region to secure peace, a move that would be extremely rejected within Ukraine. Additionally, there is presently no evidence that Russia is willing to agree to any agreement, even one that might appear advantageous to Moscow.