Under pressure from Trump

Until now, martial law in Ukraine has prohibited elections. However, President Zelenskyy has declared his willingness to hold them – responding to accusations from US President Trump. What risks is he taking?

The term of office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would have expired a year and a half ago if Russia hadn't attacked Ukraine. Under a state of war, Ukrainian legislation prohibits elections. At least until now – Zelenskyy has now declared that he is prepared to hold elections even during wartime.

I have heard hints that we are clinging to power, and I personally to the presidency. That is not the case. I am ready for elections. I therefore ask the US and the Europeans to provide the necessary security so that elections can take place. In 60 or 90 days, Ukraine will then be ready for elections. I also ask our members of parliament for proposals for legislative amendments regarding elections during a state of war.

By security, Zelenskyy meant a ceasefire that must last for the duration of the elections, including preparations and campaigning. He was responding to growing pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Trump makes serious accusations

In an interview with Politico magazine, he stated that it was time for elections in Ukraine, leveling serious accusations against Zelenskyy: that he was using the war as a pretext to prevent elections. He warned that Ukraine could reach a point where it ceased to be a democracy.

According to military expert Oleksandr Musienko, Zelenskyy had to react to this. It was right that he was reaching out to Trump."We cannot afford a confrontation with Trump and the US," Musienko said."We need allies in this war. We don't have to agree with them on everything, but we would rather stick with them than with Putin."

Musijenko believes that Zelenskyy's statement is also another test for Russia. So far, its leader Vladimir Putin has refused a ceasefire. However, this is absolutely necessary for elections.

"It is unclear who would even run against Zelenskyy"

Hardly anyone in Ukraine expects Putin to change his stance. And even if he does, Zelenskyy isn't taking any risks with his statement, according to journalist Vitali Portnykov on his internet channel:"In elections during the war, Zelenskyy would have a significantly better chance of winning than in elections after the war ends. Because in war, there are no real competitions between candidates. It's already unclear who would even run against Zelenskyy. Which politician would now launch harsh criticism of the president, for example, against his foreign policy?"

Observers say that the country must ultimately present a largely united image, at least to the outside world.

Polls indicate that Ukrainians share this view. On the one hand, well over half of the population still say they trust Zelenskyy. On the other hand, more than half also want him not to run in future presidential elections – after the war ends.