🔗 Share this article

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared he is ready to conduct a national election amid the current war, if Ukraine's parliament and international allies give their consent. This statement comes after claims from Donald Trump that he was refusing to relinquish control.

Obviously frustrated by the intervention from abroad, Zelenskyy underscored that "The decision for the citizens of Ukraine, and not for individuals from other nations, with all necessary respect to our allies."

Nevertheless, he pledged to investigate options for carrying out a vote in the next few months. "Since this topic is currently being posed by the leader of the United States, our key partner, I will respond briefly: listen, I am prepared for elections," Zelenskyy said on Tuesday evening.

"Moreover, I am asking ... the U.S. to support me, possibly together with European colleagues, to ensure security for the polls, and afterwards within the next 60 to 90 days Ukraine will be ready to hold the elections. I myself have the will and preparedness for this," he added.

The U.S. President's Assertions and The Country's Constitutional Situation

The comments were made by Trump in a wide-ranging interview conducted by the publication Politico earlier on Tuesday. "Ukraine haven't had an election in a while," said the U.S. president. "You know, they speak of a democratic nation, but it reaches a point where it's undemocratic any more."

Zelenskyy's five-year term expired in May of last year, but the Ukrainian constitution bans elections in a time of wartime. Furthermore, his critics have consistently argued that safety and practical considerations prevent holding an election while the war continues.

"It would only cause harm," stated an opposition MP. "He's the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a position where we lack that possibility, regardless of problems we might have with him. It would only benefit the opponent," he concluded.

Logistical and Constitutional Hurdles

Zelenskyy identified two major issues that must be resolved: the logistical challenge of permitting soldiers, millions of internally displaced persons, and those living under occupation to vote, and secondly, how to constitutionally conduct a vote while martial law is active.

He requested guidance from allies on protecting the elections, and from MPs on how to amend the legislation to enable a vote. "{I am expecting suggestions from allies, I am awaiting ideas from our MPs, and I am ready to proceed with the elections," affirmed Zelenskyy.

Wider Political Background

Zelenskyy made these remarks while traveling back to Ukraine after completing a diplomatic tour to various EU nations. This coincides with the U.S. administration has reportedly been pushing on Kyiv to accept a settlement.

Over the weekend, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., suggested at a forum that Zelenskyy was dragging out the war due to concerns of losing power. He also suggested that his father might "disengage" from Ukraine if the conflict continues. "{It's not accurate. But it's not precisely wrong," said Trump, when asked about his son's statement.

Reports indicate that the U.S. has suggested Ukraine should relinquish the eastern territories to secure peace, a concession that would be extremely unpopular within Ukraine. Furthermore, there is presently no evidence that Russia is prepared to agree to any agreement, even a deal that might appear advantageous to Moscow.