Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that his nation could be prepared to conduct its first election since Russia’s 2022 invasion—provided that its partners can offer security guarantees.
Zelenskyy, whose term was originally scheduled to end in May 2024, noted that two key issues must be resolved before Ukraine can hold elections: security and the legislative framework. Per the Associated Press, he added that he has requested lawmakers from his party to draft legislative proposals enabling Ukraine to conduct elections even while the country remains under martial law.
Ukrainian law bans elections during martial law, so Zelenskyy has refused to call a vote—a position that Ukrainians broadly support, per the AP. The nation has been under martial law since the war with Russia started in February 2022.
“Additionally, I am now requesting—and I am saying this publicly—for the United States, potentially alongside our European allies, to assist me in ensuring security for conducting elections,” Zelenskyy told reporters via WhatsApp, per reports. “Then, within the next 60 to 90 days, Ukraine will be prepared to hold them.”
Zelenskyy’s shift in position comes after U.S. President Trump accused him of using the war as an excuse to avoid holding elections. Trump, who previously labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” warned that Ukraine was at risk of ceasing to be a democracy.
“They haven’t held an election in a long time,” Trump said. “You know, they talk about democracy, but there comes a point where it’s no longer a democracy.”
In an interview with Politico, Trump also claimed Zelenskyy was not current on peace talks, stating he had heard the Ukrainian leader had not reviewed the White House’s latest proposal.
The Trump administration has been striving to reach a peace agreement to end the nearly four-year-long war. Late last month, it put forward a 28-point plan that Ukrainian and European leaders deemed overly accommodating to Russia’s demands. Ukrainian officials met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and simplified the plan.
“We are working very diligently on all aspects of potential steps to end the war,” Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. “The Ukrainian and European components are now more refined, and we are ready to present them to our U.S. partners. Together with the American side, we anticipate quickly making these potential steps as feasible as possible.”
“We are dedicated to achieving a genuine peace and maintain ongoing contact with the United States,” he added.
Digital reached out to the White House and the State Department to request comment.