Ukraine Elections: A Complex Issue
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine could hold elections this year if the fighting ends and strong security guarantees are in place. (EPA Images pic)
The US Push for Elections
The US wants Ukraine to hold elections, potentially by the end of the year, especially if Kyiv can agree a truce with Russia in the coming months, President Donald Trump’s top Ukraine official told Reuters. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, said in an interview that Ukrainian presidential and parliamentary elections, suspended during the war with Russia, "needs to be done".
Elections in Time of War
Kellogg believes that most democratic nations have elections in their time of war. "I think it is important they do so," he said. "I think it is good for democracy. That’s the beauty of a solid democracy, you have more than one person potentially running." Trump and Kellogg have both said they are working on a plan to broker a deal in the first several months of the new administration to end the all-out war that erupted with Russia’s full-scale invasion in Feb 2022.
Setting a Trap
Zelensky’s five-year term was supposed to end in 2024 but presidential and parliamentary polls cannot be held under martial law, which Ukraine imposed in Feb 2022. Washington raised the issue of elections with senior officials in Zelensky’s office in 2023 and 2024 during the Biden administration, two former senior US officials said. However, officials in Kyiv have pushed back on elections in conversations with Washington in recent months, telling Biden officials that hosting polls at such a volatile moment in Ukraine’s history would divide Ukrainian leaders and potentially invite Russian influence campaigns.
Russia’s Bidding?
Ukrainian legislation explicitly prohibits presidential and parliamentary elections being held under martial law. The former Western official raised concerns about the US push for elections, saying lifting martial law could allow mobilised soldiers to leave the military, trigger an exodus of hard currency and prompt large numbers of draft-age men to "run for the border". It could also ignite political instability, the source said, because it would make Zelensky a lame duck, diluting his power and influence and fuelling jockeying by potential challengers.
Conclusion
The issue of elections in Ukraine is complex and sensitive. While the US and Ukraine may want to hold elections, it is unclear whether this is feasible in the current circumstances. The Ukrainian government has pushed back on elections, citing the volatile situation in the country. Meanwhile, Russia has been critical of the idea of holding elections, saying that Zelensky is not a legitimate leader in the absence of a renewed electoral mandate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the US pushing for elections in Ukraine?
A: The US wants to promote democracy and stability in Ukraine, and believes that holding elections would be a positive step forward.
Q: Why are elections not feasible in Ukraine right now?
A: Ukraine is currently under martial law, which prohibits presidential and parliamentary elections. Additionally, the country is in the midst of a war with Russia, which makes it difficult to hold free and fair elections.
Q: What is Russia’s stance on elections in Ukraine?
A: Russia has been critical of the idea of holding elections in Ukraine, saying that Zelensky is not a legitimate leader in the absence of a renewed electoral mandate.