Kyiv:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to organize elections, a demand echoed by both Moscow and Washington. He indicated that these elections could potentially take place within two to three months, provided that the United States and European allies can guarantee the security necessary for a credible vote.
Understanding the Security Landscape
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been operating under martial law, which prohibits elections. The last elections occurred in 2019, and concerns have been raised regarding the legitimacy of any future peace deals that Zelensky might sign, especially since his term is set to expire in May 2024.
Notably, former President Donald Trump has criticized the absence of elections during this tumultuous period, highlighting internal and external pressures on Zelensky’s administration.
With frontline activity escalating—over 1,200 kilometers of conflict stretching across Ukraine’s east, south, and north—Ukrainian cities continue to suffer from missile and drone strikes. The energy sector is also under attack, leading to widespread electricity outages that further complicate the circumstances surrounding potential elections.
Recent surveys indicate that a majority of Ukrainians are not in favor of holding elections amid ongoing warfare, as highlighted by Anton Hrushetskyi, the executive director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
Legislative and Administrative Hurdles
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko noted that achieving a semblance of peace, such as at least a temporary ceasefire in the airspace, would be crucial before any electoral discussions could genuinely take place. He emphasized that Ukraine would need to establish a comprehensive legislative framework, which includes new laws detailing the election’s timing, rules, and procedures. Fesenko estimates that this legislative groundwork could take around six months to finalize.
Moreover, experts have pointed out that Kyiv must proactively guard against possible manipulations from Russia, as the political climate remains fraught with uncertainty.
Challenges for Voter Accessibility
Many Ukrainians could face significant obstacles in exercising their voting rights. As of late 2025, data revealed that over 4.3 million Ukrainians were granted temporary protection status in EU countries. For these individuals to participate in elections, Kyiv would need to set up numerous polling stations throughout Europe, a logistical challenge not to be underestimated.
Additionally, over four million Ukrainians are currently classified as internally displaced, further complicating registration efforts. This endeavor will require extensive time and resources, as accurately registering displaced individuals is no small task.
Another factor to consider is the approximately one million individuals engaged with Ukraine’s defense forces. Facilitating a fair election process for those on the frontlines will demand legislative adjustments.
Furthermore, Ukrainian officials project that about 4.5 million adult citizens still reside in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, which cover around 19% of the nation’s land. It will be essential for the State Register of Voters to update its records of voters and polling places to accommodate any elections.
Prospects for Zelensky’s Reelection
Polls from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicate that Zelensky has a favorable chance for reelection. Although his approval ratings soared to about 90% at the war’s onset, they have since declined to the mid-50% range, likely influenced by a notable corruption scandal within the energy sector.
Despite these challenges, Zelensky remains the top contender among traditional politicians. Nevertheless, emerging figures like Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, currently Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain and former commander in chief of the army, could pose a substantial challenge if he decides to enter the political arena. As of now, Zaluzhnyi has not expressed political aspirations, focusing instead on national defense amidst the ongoing conflict.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
