As Ukraine approaches its third year of full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday rejected renewed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Kyiv should hold national elections despite ongoing Russian attacks. Zelensky argued that voting under constant aerial bombardment, mass displacement, and martial law is not only unsafe but technically unworkable.
The exchange reflects a widening rift over what democratic governance looks like in wartime—and how Ukraine should balance constitutional norms with the realities of survival.
A Wartime President Responds
Zelensky, whose presidential term would have ended in May 2024 under normal conditions, insisted he is ready to hold elections “any time,” but only if international partners—particularly the United States and Europe—help guarantee basic security. With sufficient support, he said, elections could be organized within 60 to 90 days.
He noted, however, that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky said he will ask parliament to prepare a legal framework enabling voting under wartime conditions, though he emphasized the inherent risks.
“Organizing elections during air raids would be impossible, as would counting the ballots,” he wrote on social media. Massive population movements and the displacement of millions abroad, he added, make remote voting and voter-list updates unmanageable.
Broader Political and Geopolitical Context
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine remains committed to a “real peace,” arguing that the feasibility of any election depends on whether Russia is prepared to stop its attacks and avoid reigniting the conflict. Kyiv is working with European partners on an updated peace plan expected to be presented soon to Washington.
“We want to make potential steps as realistic as possible,” he said.
Trump, for his part, has intensified his criticism. In a recent interview with Politico, he accused Zelensky of delaying elections for political gain, calling him a “dictator” and asserting that Ukraine is using the war as a pretext to avoid voting. “Maybe Zelensky would win. I don’t know who would win, but they haven’t had elections for a long time,” Trump said. “They talk about democracy, but they’re getting to a point where it’s no longer democracy.”
Moscow has echoed similar claims, urging Ukraine to hold elections even as Russian forces continue missile strikes across the country.
International Reaction
European Council President António Costa rebuked Trump’s comments, stating that allies must “act like allies” and respect Ukrainians’ democratic choices without interfering in domestic political matters, especially while the country is under attack.
For now, Ukraine’s democratic timetable remains hostage to the battlefield. Whether elections can occur—and under what conditions—has become a test of both political integrity and wartime resilience.