Amid rising international pressure, especially from the U.S., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a striking statement about the possibility of holding elections in the near future. However, this initiative has sparked numerous debates about the feasibility and safety of elections during a time of war.
Recently, the U.S. administration, led by Donald Trump, has been actively urging Ukraine to sign a peace deal with Russia and has also emphasized the necessity of holding elections. Similar demands have consistently come from Russia as well. Zelensky stated that with the necessary support from international partners and security guarantees, Ukraine would be ready to hold elections within 60-90 days after relevant legal changes are made.
Analysts note that meeting democratic standards for elections during active military operations is almost impossible. Many citizens are abroad, some are in temporarily occupied territories, and others are fighting on the front lines. Organizing a safe and transparent election process under these circumstances is extremely difficult.
At the same time, calls for elections from external political actors are seen as a means of pressuring Ukrainian leadership. Such statements have also been publicly made by Vladimir Putin.
Opponents of elections stress that during a major war, this could lead to destabilization of societal unity and government legitimacy. Three main scenarios are discussed: temporary suspension of hostilities and lifting of martial law; holding elections during active warfare; or organizing electronic voting. All options pose significant risks for state security and stability.
The analytical conclusion: the most realistic option is to hold elections only after a stable peace has been established. Until then, strengthening defense capabilities and preserving social unity remain the priority.
