Can Ukraine Hold Elections Within 90 Days Amid War?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that the country could organize national elections within the next 60 to 90 days—but only if security could be fully guaranteed. His comments appear aimed at countering claims from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested that Zelensky is using the ongoing war as a pretext to stay in power.

Zelensky emphasized that he is open to holding elections but stressed that the safety of voters remains the central obstacle. “How are people supposed to vote under missile attacks?” he asked, noting that troops stationed on the front lines face continuous danger. He called on the United States and European partners to help create the security conditions needed to run a legitimate vote.

Ukraine’s Last Elections

Ukraine last held presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019. Zelensky won the presidency by a wide margin in April of that year and dissolved parliament shortly after taking office. His political party, Servant of the People, secured a majority in the July 2019 parliamentary vote.

Everything changed in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Zelensky’s approval ratings surged at the start of the war, and although they have declined from their peak, they remain steady compared to pre-war levels.

Why Elections Haven’t Been Held

The main reason Ukraine has not held elections since 2019 is martial law, which legally prevents national polls from taking place. Ukraine was due to elect a new president in 2024, but once martial law was declared in response to the Russian invasion, all elections were postponed. Martial law has been extended every 90 days since then.

Zelensky has consistently maintained that elections will be held once the war ends and when the necessary democratic standards can be met.

Why Zelensky Is Signaling Openness Now

Ukraine is in a sensitive phase of peace discussions. Kyiv is preparing revisions to a peace proposal shaped by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner. The original 28-point plan—criticized for appearing to favor Russia—has been reduced to 20 points, but territorial issues remain unresolved.

Trump has been pressuring Zelensky to make concessions, and raising questions about Ukraine’s elections has become one of his talking points. Zelensky’s latest remarks appear to be a strategic response: by pointing out that safe elections require international guarantees, he places responsibility on Washington to secure a ceasefire or at least reduce hostilities.

Why Trump and Russia Want Elections Now

Moscow has long pushed the narrative that Zelensky’s mandate expired in 2024, questioning his legitimacy. This messaging has been amplified in Russian media and occasionally echoed abroad. Trump’s recent claims mirror this rhetoric, accusing Zelensky of postponing elections for political gain.

Ukrainian election advocates argue that holding a vote too soon could threaten the country’s stability, especially given Russia’s long history of political interference.

Practical Barriers

Logistical challenges make a near-term election extremely difficult. Millions of Ukrainians are displaced internally or living abroad, making voter registration and verification a massive undertaking. War damage has left only about three-quarters of polling stations functional, and nearly one million Ukrainians are serving in the military—many in active combat zones.

Ukraine’s election commission estimates that at least six months of preparation would be needed to meet global democratic standards.

Do Ukrainians Want Elections Now?

Public sentiment leans strongly against rushing into a vote. Many Ukrainians told reporters they believe the priority should be ending the war, not organizing elections. Citizens point out that voting during air raids, blackouts, and ongoing attacks would be nearly impossible.

Is It Feasible?

Given the occupation of Ukrainian territory, constant missile strikes, infrastructure destruction, and ongoing battles in the east, holding a nationwide election in the next 90 days appears extremely unlikely. For now, Ukraine’s focus remains centered on survival and security—not ballots.