Despite his popularity having sunk to incredible lows, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again ruled out holding presidential elections while the country remains at war.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s constitution and laws prohibit elections during martial law.
“First, Ukraine needs a just peace, and then Ukrainians can hold fair elections. We must prioritize the common interest over individual desires,” he stated, reinforcing his stance. He added that no external party has pushed for elections, saying, “No one in the world has demanded or demanded” elections in Ukraine.
Although Zelenskyy’s term technically ends in March 2024, martial law—first implemented in 2022—has postponed the election. Recently extended until February 2025, these emergency laws have drawn criticism, with some accusing Zelenskyy of using the conflict to tighten his grip on power.
Zelenskyy didn’t hold back when addressing political opportunism during the war. “Here in Ukraine, there are some people who are so power-hungry that they want to fight more within our state more than for the sake of our state. They want political disputes in the trenches, as in the TV studios,” he remarked, calling such behavior harmful to the nation.
Meanwhile, Parliament President Ruslan Stefanchuk assured that elections would be held within 60 days of martial law being lifted. Despite this, Zelenskyy has faced criticism for actions taken during the conflict, including the dismissal of high-ranking officials, bans on opposition parties, and other moves perceived as consolidating power. The government, however, defends these measures as necessary for safeguarding national security.
For Zelenskyy, the focus remains firmly on achieving peace and stability before turning to elections, making it clear that the nation’s survival takes precedence over politics.
