Zelensky was asked whether he would take part in the presidential race if new elections were announced in Ukraine, and whether he had thought about it.
“I don't know. It depends on how this war ends,” he replied.
When asked what he would do after the end of the war, Zelensky said that he “sometimes thinks” about it.
Context
Zelensky officially took office as President of Ukraine on May 20, 2019.
In Art. 19 Law of Ukraine on the legal regime of martial law, it is noted that under martial law (this regime has been in effect in Ukraine since February 24, 2022), it is prohibited to hold presidential and parliamentary elections.
Western partners spoke about the need to hold elections in Ukraine in 2024, but Zelensky explained that for this it is necessary to amend the Electoral Code and find means to organize elections. In addition, for them to be legitimate, observers need to be sent to the front lines.
On December 8, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that in Ukraine it's time to hold presidential elections, since, in his opinion, the war is being used as a reason to postpone them. “As for elections, I’m always ready,” Zelensky responded on the same day. The president later explained why the Kremlin is committed to voting for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation and under occupation.
On December 22, the Rada began to prepare a bill on elections during the war, said Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. According to him, the new law will be one-time only.
At the end of December the first meeting took place working group on preparing laws for organizing and holding elections in Ukraine during the war. It included more than 60 people.
