Ukraine's parliament is forming a working group to examine holding presidential elections during martial law, Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamia announced on 22 December. Representatives from all parliamentary factions, the Central Election Commission, and civil society organizations will participate.
The move, reported by LIGA.net, marks Kyiv's most concrete step yet toward addressing US President Donald Trump's repeated demands that Ukraine hold elections—demands that echo Kremlin talking points about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "illegitimacy." Trump has accused Zelenskyy multiple times of "using war not to hold an election," while most Ukrainians and opposition leaders alike say voting during active combat would be impossible.
Trump demands Ukraine elections, Zelenskyy responds
The working group comes after Zelenskyy told journalists on 9 December that he was ready for elections within 60 to 90 days—but only if the US and European allies ensure security for voters.
"I am ready for elections; moreover, I am now asking—and I state this openly—for the United States to help me," Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law, which has been extended 17 times since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Parliament would need to amend the legislation to allow any vote—a step Zelenskyy has now asked lawmakers to consider.
But amending the law is the easy part.
Why Ukraine cannot hold elections during war
Even with legislative changes, the obstacles remain daunting:
- Security: Russian drones and missiles strike Ukrainian cities daily. Zelenskyy has called for a ceasefire during any election period. The Kremlin refused.
- The military: More than 800,000 armed forces personnel cannot leave front-line positions to vote. Rotating them out risks battlefield losses Ukraine cannot afford.
- Displaced voters: Millions of Ukrainians have fled abroad or been internally displaced. The voter registry has not been updated since the invasion began.
- Occupied territory: Some 20% of Ukraine remains under Russian control, where no legitimate vote could occur.
Most Ukrainians oppose wartime elections
A December poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 57% of Ukrainians believe elections are possible only after a final peace agreement and the complete end of hostilities. Only 9% support holding elections before a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy's trust rating has recovered from a low of 49% in late November—during the Mindichgate corruption scandal that led to the dismissal of his top aide Andrii Yermak—to 61% in December. Between 8-13 December, trust climbed to 65%. He remains Ukraine's most popular political figure, leading former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi in hypothetical matchups.
In February 2025, the Rada passed a resolution affirming that elections should not be held during martial law. The new working group represents a shift—at least in tone—toward exploring what a wartime vote might look like.
Whether it produces actual elections or simply demonstrates "readiness" to deflect Western criticism remains to be seen.
