Dec 10, 2025
3 min read
For the first time, Zelensky opens up about choosing the election, the election that the Russians want, with America's help
Elections in Ukraine are a near-impossible mission as long as the war continues
Zelenky for the first time, under American pressure, released to use the conflict as his country wishes and it is necessary no less than Kusia;
In February, after returning to the White House, Donald Trump adopted one of Vladimir Putin's favorite arguments: Volodymyr Zelensky is an illegitimate president, he has no power to negotiate and Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible.Ukraine's presidential and legislative elections were supposed to be called in 2024, but martial law prevents this while it is in effect.In times of war it is not possible to vote.That's what the law says and that's what the opposition, the president and the majority of the population (between 60% and 70%, according to surveys) do.But Zelensky, who needs to keep America's support, announced this Tuesday that he is open to the possibility of calling elections.
This Wednesday, Zelensky opened a contact conference with the parties of the Rada, the parliament of Ukraine, to find out what the formulas are that will make it viable.Martial law must be changed and if they meet the security requirements guaranteed by the United States and the European Union, according to the president, the Ukrainians will be able to vote in the next three months.Allies, this must come from the Kremlin: Putin must order a ceasefire.
"Our partners, including our partners in Washington, should respond to the negotiations on the elections in Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The money needed is significant for almost millions of people in Uganda to exercise their right to vote.Half of these soldiers work directly in combat zones, which does not allow them to leave their position to vote while the enemy is fighting.
The silence of the weapons is also necessary to prevent slaughter if a missile or drone hits the polling station, as Zelensky emphasized, especially in municipalities near the front.And Putin would accept a pause for how long?What?Is it only election days?The presidential election is decided in two rounds, and there are also legislative elections.What?Will the Russian leader also allow a few weeks of election campaigns to take place?
Re-do the calculation
Security is not the only setback.The census must be conducted again in a country with more than 10 million internally displaced persons abroad and internally.This means that at least 25% of the population does not live at their original address.To this must be added the dilemma of how to guarantee the right to vote to the residents of the occupied territories.Russia hardly recognizes this right.
Deputy People's Committee member Dimro Gurin will be distorted.
"I don't think there will be elections during the war," explains Ivan Gomza, professor of political science at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE).
Government of national unity
The parliamentary opposition does not want elections either.The parties did not have a unified legislative body that would allow them to develop their programs or identify their leaders.The main opposition groups, European Solidarity, Golos and Patria, have since November advocated the formation of a government of national unity as an alternative.This initiative, which currently lacks sufficient support in parliament, was spearheaded by former president Petro Poroshenko in response to corruption scandals that have hit the executive branch and Zelensky's inner circle.
The president's popularity is at a low level due to his conflict with anti-corruption agencies and frauds being investigated in his circle.It is possible that a minimal vote, without candidates who would overshadow it with their media presence, would favor the current president.Zelensky removed the hero of Ukraine Zaluzhny from commanding the army in 2024 after numerous conflicts and his team's interference in the military administration.
Zaluzny threatened to run for president through leaks from people in his team.What is unusual is that, if it was done at the time Zelensky proposed, two or three months, or three months, making a candidate from scratch is a huge task.
But Zelensky also cut it in such a fair election period and in such a difficult context, especially because his party and parliamentary group, the servant of the people, are broken.The many factions that make it up in 2019, with no specific ideological line apart from the charisma of their leader, have fragments and there are even groups that demand the dismissal of the government.Zelenskiy now has no solid political basis to change most of the guarantees.
Gomza, the parties can move in three months, but another thing is to continue the registration: "We don't know where they are."
There is another worrying issue against hypothetical elections, which Serhii Sternenko, one of the most influential military and political activists in Ukraine, wrote on his social networks, that is the divisions that could be the result of a war for the survival of the country: "Elections during war are a mortal danger for the country. As long as there is a big attack, elections will destroy the interior of any country.
Your subscription is being used on another device
Would you like to add another user to your membership?
If you continue reading on this device, you will not be able to read on another device.
arrow your subscription is used on another device and you can only use El País from one device.
If you want to share your account, change your subscription to premium mode, so you can add another user.Each person will be associated with their own email account, allowing you to personalize your experience at El País.
Are you registered as a company?Click here to register an additional account.
If you don't know who is using your account, we recommend changing your password here.
If you choose to continue sharing your account, this message will appear on your device and on the device of the other person using your account indefinitely, affecting your reading experience.You can review the digital subscription terms and conditions here.
