The president explained that Ukraine will hold elections if they are “proper, decent and democratic.” He noted that for their organization it will be necessary to make changes to Ukrainian legislation.
“On the other hand, if you ask Ukrainian citizens whether they want these elections and whether they are ready for them, then […] “Of course, everyone is afraid of holding elections in wartime; undoubtedly, no one can imagine how this can be done safely and honestly,” Zelensky said.
The head of the Ukrainian state added that he supports holding elections, provided that the safety of people can be ensured and no one gets hurt while visiting polling stations.
Context
The next presidential elections in Ukraine were scheduled to take place in the spring of 2024. However, in Art. 19 of the Law of Ukraine on the legal regime of martial law states that under martial law (this regime in Ukraine has been in effect since February 24, 2022), it is prohibited to hold presidential and parliamentary elections.
Western partners talked about the need to hold elections in Ukraine in 2024, but Zelensky explained that To do this, it is necessary to amend the Electoral Code and find funds to organize elections. In addition, for them to be legitimate, observers should be sent to the front lines.
On December 8, 2025, US President Donald Trump said that “the time has come” for presidential elections in Ukraine. He believes that in Ukraine the war is used as an excuse not to hold elections. “As for elections, I am always ready,” Zelensky responded on the same day, who had previously repeatedly said that he was ready for elections (in February 2024 he expressed the opinion that he would win, and in September 2025 he announced his readiness to leave the post of head of state after the end of the war). Holding elections in Ukraine requires a ceasefire, as well as security infrastructure and legislative changes, he explained on December 16.
To develop a bill on the possibility of holding “military” elections in the Rada, a working group will be created, it will be headed by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alexander Kornienko, who was recently was elected head of the Servant of the People party, the media wrote.
