Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he is prepared to organize national elections, responding to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who questioned Ukraine’s democratic trajectory and pointed to the absence of elections since the start of the war.
Trump had argued that “the time has come” for Ukraine to head to the polls, accusing Kyiv of “using the war” as a reason to delay voting. His comments added pressure on the Ukrainian leadership at a moment when the country remains under martial law due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky said he is willing to proceed with elections if security conditions allow and called on Ukraine’s American and European partners to help create the necessary environment for voting during wartime.
“If security can be ensured, elections can be held within the next 60 to 90 days,” Zelensky said. He added that he would ask Ukraine’s parliament to prepare the legal framework required to hold elections under martial law, a step that would need special legislative provisions given the constraints of the conflict.
Ukraine has not held elections since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, and martial law currently prohibits national voting. Kyiv has long argued that large-scale population displacement, ongoing attacks, and the occupation of Ukrainian territory make safe and representative elections impossible without significant international support.
Zelensky’s latest statements signal a willingness to explore options, though major logistical and security challenges remain. Western partners have not yet detailed what form their assistance might take, nor whether they believe conditions on the ground would allow for credible, inclusive elections in the near term.
