Zelensky noted that if “there is simply a truce for the sake of elections,” Russia can use it not only to prepare further military actions, but also to try to eliminate it.
The president also emphasized that he does not understand where Russians are confident that a pro-Russian leader will come in his place.
“Where do they get such confidence? You can talk in different ways. There may be different challenges within the state. But who said that this will be a person who is ready to kiss [нелегитимного президента России Владимира] Putin to one place? It’s unlikely,” the president noted.
Context
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 for this it is necessary to make changes to the Electoral Code and find funds to organize elections. In addition, for them to be legitimate, observers need to be sent to the front lines.
On December 8, 2025, Trump said that the time had come for Ukraine to hold presidential elections, because, in his opinion, the war was being used as a reason to postpone them. “As for elections, I’m always ready,” Zelensky responded on the same day. Later, the president explained why the Kremlin wants 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.
Zelensky reported that the entire “peace plan” could be put to a referendum if the issue of territories could not be agreed upon in the negotiations. In particular, the head of the Ukrainian state considers it necessary to hold a referendum if the United States insists on creating a potential “free economic zone” in Donbass.
On December 28, Zelensky and Trump met in Florida. Afterwards, the head of the White House said that the illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a temporary truce to hold a referendum in Ukraine.
