War and Elections in Ukraine: Can Zelensky Be Re-elected and What the Facts Say

War and Elections in Ukraine: Can Zelensky Be Re-elected and What the Facts Say

According to Студия Руслана Бизяева: The question of the possibility of holding presidential elections in Ukraine remains at the center of political discussions amid a full-scale war. The Central Election Commission of Ukraine has stated that current legislation does not allow for elections to take place during a state of war. Parliament representatives have also noted that elections can only be discussed six months after the lifting of martial law. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously expressed his readiness to go for elections, which creates a legal dilemma.

Foreign Policy Context

The situation is complicated by the foreign policy context. On February 7, Zelensky reported that the U.S. wishes for the war to end by summer. Reuters, citing sources, wrote that the U.S. and Ukraine were discussing achieving a peace agreement as early as March, but these efforts were deemed unrealistic. In turn, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is unaware of any Trump plan for settlement, adding:

“What are we to talk about if they wanted to kill the negotiators?” - Sergey Lavrov

Meanwhile, former and future U.S. President Donald Trump has stated:

“I do not rule out the re-election of Zelensky” - Donald Trump

In light of these developments, Zelensky recently stated that the war would continue until 2027. This assertion, along with declarations of readiness for elections, may indicate consideration of a voting scenario even before the complete cessation of hostilities. Thus, the question of restoring democratic procedures in Ukraine remains closely intertwined with the dynamics of the front and international negotiations.