ROME (dpa-AFX) – If the USA and Europe ensure security, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is ready for elections within 60 to 90 days, even during the ongoing war with Russia. “I personally have the will and willingness to do this,” the head of state told journalists, as reported by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. In addition to the security issue, the electoral law also needs to be adjusted. He therefore asked the members of his group to prepare appropriate changes to the law.
The Ukrainian law on martial law so far expressly prohibits the holding of presidential, parliamentary and local elections. The law can be changed, but the constitution does not provide for parliamentary elections until martial law is lifted. Constitutional amendments are prohibited during martial law.
There have been no elections in Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion. The president’s regular term expired in May 2024 and that of parliament in August 2024. Local elections should have taken place at the end of October 2025.
US President Donald Trump had previously spoken out in favor of holding elections in the war-torn country./ast/DP/jha