KYIV, Ukraine — December 10, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that Ukraine is prepared to hold national elections within the next three months, provided that the United States and other international allies can guarantee the security and safety of the voting process amid Russia’s ongoing military aggression.

Zelenskyy’s statement comes in response to renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Ukraine was using Russia’s war as a justification to postpone elections, a claim Zelenskyy firmly rejected.

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Zelenskyy Ready for Elections, Seeks Security Guarantees

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said:

“I’m ready for elections, and moreover I ask… that the US help me, maybe together with European colleagues, to ensure the security of an election. Then, in the next 60-90 days, Ukraine will be ready to hold an election.”

Wartime elections are currently forbidden under Ukrainian law, and Zelenskyy’s presidential term officially expired last year. Earlier this year, Ukraine’s parliament passed a resolution affirming the legitimacy of Zelenskyy’s wartime extension, citing the extraordinary circumstances caused by Russia’s invasion.

To address the legal challenges of holding elections during martial law, Zelenskyy indicated he would ask parliament to prepare proposals for new legislation, potentially enabling voting even amid the conflict.

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US Pressure and Trump’s Remarks

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump criticized Ukraine, suggesting that Kyiv’s government was straying from democratic principles. In a Politico interview, he said:

“You know, they [Ukraine] talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy any more.”

Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as “totally inadequate” and emphasized that postponing elections is not about clinging to power, but about protecting the democratic process under extraordinary wartime conditions.

Trump’s criticisms are not new. In February, he called Zelenskyy a “dictator,” echoing similar accusations from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian officials consistently reject these claims.

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Challenges of Wartime Elections

Holding elections in Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities presents significant logistical and security challenges:

• Russian air strikes continue across the country.
• Nearly one million Ukrainian troops are engaged at the front.
• Millions of Ukrainians are displaced, with uncertain voting status in Russia-occupied territories, which comprise roughly one-fifth of Ukraine.

Public opinion is divided. Polls show that while Ukrainians are wary of wartime elections, many desire new political leadership to replace longstanding figures since the 2019 national elections.

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Security Guarantees and Peace Plan Concerns

Ukraine is also seeking strong security guarantees from its Western allies to prevent future Russian aggression. Zelenskyy has been cautious about a US-backed peace proposal widely criticized in Kyiv as Moscow-friendly. The plan would require Ukraine to surrender unoccupied land, including parts of the industrial Donbas region, in exchange for limited security assurances and NATO partnership support that falls short of Ukraine’s aspirations.

Zelenskyy and officials argue that robust international guarantees are essential to hold elections safely and ensure the country’s territorial integrity.

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International and Domestic Reactions

Zelenskyy’s announcement is expected to influence ongoing diplomatic talks and pressure both Moscow and Washington to address Ukraine’s security needs. Meanwhile, Ukrainian parliamentarians are preparing potential legislative reforms to enable elections even during martial law.

The international community, including the US and European allies, will likely play a critical role in securing election infrastructure, monitoring voting safety, and providing logistical support to ensure credible and fair elections amid ongoing conflict.

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Key Takeaways:

• Zelenskyy is ready for elections within 60–90 days, contingent on security guarantees.
• Wartime elections require legal adjustments under Ukrainian law.
• Trump has criticized Ukraine’s postponement, alleging democratic shortcomings.
• Millions of displaced Ukrainians and Russian-occupied regions pose logistical challenges.
• Ukraine demands strong international security guarantees before any elections can be held.