Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukraine cannot hold national elections without at least a temporary cease-fire, warning that voting during Russia’s ongoing assault would be unsafe, illegal and deeply unfair.
His remarks, delivered to a virtual meeting of the international “Coalition of the Willing,” underscored the mounting political pressure Kyiv faces as the war grinds into its fourth year.
Ukrainian law bans elections under martial law – a measure imposed just days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy’s term expired in May 2024, but wartime rules froze the electoral calendar, prompting Moscow to declare him “illegitimate” and fueling criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who began his second term in January.
“There must be a cease-fire – at least for the duration of the election process and voting,” Zelenskyy told the coalition, citing reports from Ukrinform and other local outlets. “Frankly speaking, we believe America should talk to the Russian side about this.”
