Zelenskyy says 90% of Ukrainians reject wartime elections, describes idea as 'terrible'
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
In Ukraine, 90% of citizens do not support the idea of holding elections during the war, citing serious security risks.
This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to his interview with Politico.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that holding elections requires security, specifically a real and sustained ceasefire. According to him, 90% of Ukrainians currently oppose elections, as they understand the risks involved.
"How can elections be held during a war, under shelling? It’s terrible. How will our soldiers vote? They are defending [the country], they must be able to vote, we must hear them. It’s terrible. How will 8 million people abroad vote?" he said.
The president stressed that the security situation must first be stabilized, after which elections could be organized.
"If we are able to hold elections, it will mean we have a normal security situation. Maybe not fully normal, but, as I said, a ceasefire. So if President Donald Trump… if President Trump gives me… puts pressure on Putin [to agree to] a ceasefire for two to three months, we will hold elections," he added.
At the same time, Russia has заявила it would be ready to ensure the absence of shelling on the day of a potential vote in Ukraine, should Kyiv decide to proceed with elections.
The issue of elections in Ukraine remains under active discussion. Both The Economist and Financial Times, citing sources, reported that presidential elections could potentially take place in 2026, with May mentioned among possible timeframes.
Officials close to Zelenskyy responded cautiously to these reports, emphasizing that the priority remains achieving a just peace. Zelenskyy himself later said that the idea of announcing elections on February 24, the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, would be inappropriate.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine also analyzed whether elections could be held under martial law from both technical and legal perspectives, as well as the obstacles that could stand in the way.
