Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine may be ready to conduct its first elections since the Russian invasion in 2022, provided there are security guarantees from its allies. Zelenskyy, whose term ends in May 2024, highlighted the need to address two key issues: security for the elections and the legislative framework to support them. He has instructed lawmakers from his party to formulate new legal measures that would allow elections to proceed, even under martial law, which has been in effect since the war began.
According to Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held during martial law, which is why Zelenskyy has refrained from calling for a vote, a decision that many Ukrainians appear to agree with. Recently, Zelenskyy has publicly called on the United States, alongside European partners, to help secure conditions for holding elections, stating that with their support, Ukraine could be set to hold elections in the next 60 to 90 days.
This shift in Zelenskyy’s position comes after recent criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused him of using the war as a reason to delay elections. Trump has labeled Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections,” expressing concern that Ukraine might be drifting away from its democratic roots.
In a recent interview, Trump also suggested that Zelenskyy may not be fully aware of the peace talks, claiming that the Ukrainian leader had not read the latest proposal from the White House regarding a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict. The Trump administration has been actively working on a plan designed to bring about peace after nearly four years of war, but there are concerns among Ukrainian and European leaders that the proposal may be too accommodating to Russia.
In response, Zelenskyy reassured that his team is working diligently on solutions aimed at ending the war. He emphasized that Ukraine and its European allies have made significant progress regarding their approach to peace, and they are prepared to share this with their American counterparts. He remains committed to achieving genuine peace and maintains open communication with the U.S. on the matter.
