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Zelenskyy open to Wartime Elections Within 90 Days, Responds to Trump’s Power grab Accusations
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled a willingness to hold elections within the next three months, contingent upon the approval of the Ukrainian parliament and assurances of security from international allies, following accusations from former U.S. President Donald Trump that he is attempting to remain in power indefinitely.
Zelenskyy, visibly responding to Trump’s intervention, asserted that the decision to hold an election rests solely with the Ukrainian people.”This is a question for the people of Ukraine, not people from other states, with all due respect to our partners,” he stated Tuesday evening. Despite this, he pledged to explore the feasibility of a vote in the coming months.
“As this question is raised today by the president of the United States of America, our partners, I will answer very briefly: look, I am ready for elections,” Zelenskyy declared. He further requested assistance from the United States, potentially in collaboration with European counterparts, to guarantee the security of the electoral process. “Moreover, I am asking … the United States to help me, possibly together with European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections, and then in the next 60 to 90 days Ukraine will be ready to hold the elections. I personally have the will and readiness for this,” he added.
The exchange was sparked by comments made by Trump in a recent interview with Politico,where he questioned Ukraine’s democratic credentials. “They haven’t had an election in a long time,” Trump said. “You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy any more.”
Zelenskyy’s five-year term officially expired in May of last year. However, the Ukrainian constitution currently prohibits elections during a state of war. Even within Ukraine’s political opposition,there is widespread agreement that the current security situation makes holding a free and fair election unachievable. Serhiy Rakhmanin, an MP from the Holos party, explained, “It would only cause harm. He’s the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a position where we don’t have that luxury, whatever issues we might have with him.It would only help the enemy.”
Zelenskyy identified two primary challenges to overcome in order to facilitate an election. These include establishing a logistical framework to allow voting for soldiers, the millions of Ukrainians displaced by the war, and those residing in occupied territories, and navigating the legal complexities of holding an election under martial law.
He has actively sought guidance from allies on election security and from Ukrainian lawmakers on potential legal amendments. “I am waiting for proposals from partners, I am waiting for proposals from our MPs, and I am ready to go to the elections,” Zelenskyy affirmed.
this discussion surrounding potential elections comes as Zelenskyy concludes a diplomatic tour of European capitals, coinciding with increased pressure from the White House for Kyiv to consider a peace agreement. Adding another layer of complexity, Donald Trump Jr.suggested over the weekend that Zelenskyy is intentionally prolonging the conflict out of fear of losing power, with the implication that a second Trump management might withdraw support for Ukraine. Trump himself acknowledged his son’s claim, stating, “It’s not correct. But it’s not exactly wrong.”
The United States has reportedly signaled a willingness to explore a peace deal that would involve Ukraine ceding control of the Donbas region, a proposition that would likely face strong opposition within Ukraine. Currently, there are no indications that Russia is prepared to negotiate a settlement, even one potentially advantageo
