Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that there is a possibility of a major change in Ukraine’s wartime governance. Zelensky is now open to the idea of scheduling elections in the next two to three months. This is pending the support, stability, and safety that the United States and its allies will provide throughout the country during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelensky and Trump butt heads over Ukraine’s political climate
Zelensky was asked about Trump’s requests in Rome and Kyiv regarding Ukraine’s democracy. Zelensky stated:
“I’m ready for elections, and moreover, I ask… that the U.S. help me, maybe together with European colleagues, to ensure the security of an election. And then in the next 60 to 90 days, Ukraine will be ready to hold an election.”
Zelensky has been under a lot of political pressure lately. Trump, during a Politico interview, commented that Ukraine is “no longer a democracy” and that the government is using the war as a reason not to hold elections. Zelensky called Trump’s comments “totally inadequate” and said that the provisions of Ukraine’s martial law are constitutional and not a means for him to hold onto power.
The vote: How will displaced Ukrainian citizens cast their ballot?
Displaced citizens, including an estimated 5 million Ukrainians living abroad, and those on the front lines, will need accessible means to vote. It’s evident that public opinion is quite divided, as 63% of Ukrainians prefer to hold elections after the war, while 22% would like to have them sooner.
Ukraine depends a great deal on EU and US support. It appeals to both sides on the need for defensive military assistance and security guarantees, and the validation of Ukraine’s democratic governance.
Governance in Ukraine is being challenged
Post democratic elections in Ukraine, the Ukrainian government would be in a far superior, beneficial democratic position. New security and defensive agreements would strengthen support for Ukraine’s self-governance and democracy from the international and Western democracies.
Zelenskiy’s timeline is 60 to 90 days to complete Ukraine’s emergency security legislation on the assumption that there will be security commitments. Practically, this means that the US and NATO propose active protection, e.g., military personnel, Defensive Air Shield, and peacekeeping forces.
Ukraine’s wartime elections have obstacles
- There is fighting and air strikes during elections and polls, which can pose a serious danger to people voting.
- Voting must be made available to front-line soldiers and people who have been displaced, including 5 million Ukrainians who currently live abroad.
- Legislation has to change as it currently does not allow elections in times of martial law. Zelenskiy promised to ask parliament to comply with his request.
Operational transparency processes will need to be in place
By publicly offering to host presidential elections in three months, Zelensky walks a diplomatic tightrope, balancing U.S pressure against the need for Ukrainian autonomy and the reality that elections should be safe, legal, and inclusive.
Ukraine Parliament votes to pass emergency legislation for separate elections in wartime. Authorities will need to plan for and allow absentee balloting for people not in the combat zone, for people not physically in the combat zone, and for people in combat. Planning will need to allow for a Defense and Combat zone.
His inquiry reflects a clear change from wartime deferrals to the preparedness for democratic responsibility, which is contingent on the U.S. and its allies providing legitimate security assurances. This proposal sets an unprecedented standard. Ukraine’s democracy, which is presently being shaped by the security of numerous countries, is able to enter the next phase of development as a democracy, which is in a state of legitimate democracy.
