Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has repeatedly maintained his openness to holding elections but has cited a series of obstacles that undermine the very premise of a fair vote.
In an interview released by the BBC, Zelenskiy acknowledged that while technically possible, conducting elections in Ukraine faces significant hurdles, including millions of Ukrainians displaced abroad, Kyiv’s incomplete territorial control, and the need for electoral legislation reforms. He directly challenged his Western partners during the discussion.
“I told the partners, ‘you need to decide one thing: you want to get rid of me or you want to hold elections?’” he stated.
Zelenskiy insisted that regardless of the answer, any election must be conducted “honestly,” ensuring recognition by the Ukrainian people and being deemed legitimate. His five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, yet he has been criticized for delaying new elections, citing martial law as justification. Russia has since labeled him an “illegitimate” leader, claiming his dubious legal status renders any peace agreement he signs void.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s persistent pressure to hold new elections — a move that once resulted in Trump branding Zelenskiy a “dictator” — the Ukrainian president indicated he could conduct a vote within 60 to 90 days, contingent upon Western security guarantees and a ceasefire with Russia. Moscow has opposed such temporary pauses, warning that any pause would allow Ukraine’s military leadership to regroup and rearm.
Recent polling suggests significant electoral peril for Zelenskiy. A SOCIS poll published in December 2025 indicated that former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny — now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom — would secure 64% of the vote against Zelenskiy’s 36% in a potential run-off.
