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Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy has stated he is willing to conduct a presidential election amid the current war, provided that the Verkhovna Rada and foreign partners give their consent. This statement follows allegations from the U.S. President that he was holding onto his position.

Visibly frustrated by the intervention from overseas, Zelenskyy stressed that "This question for the population of Ukraine, and not for individuals from partner countries, with all appropriate respect to our partners."

Nonetheless, he vowed to examine possibilities for carrying out a vote in the near future. "Given that this issue is currently being posed by the President of the United States, our key partner, I will respond directly: understand, I am willing for elections," Zelenskyy remarked on Tuesday night.

"Furthermore, I am calling on ... the United States to support me, potentially together with European counterparts, to guarantee protection for the vote, and then within the next 60 to 90 days Ukraine will be able to organize the elections. I individually have the will and readiness for this," he added.

The U.S. President's Criticism and The Country's Legal Reality

These remarks were expressed by Trump in a rambling interview published by Politico earlier on Tuesday. "Ukraine have not held an election in a considerable period," claimed the U.S. president. "You know, they talk about a democratic nation, but it reaches a point where it's no longer democratic any more."

Zelenskyy's presidential term came to an end in May of last year, but the country's fundamental law bans elections during wartime. Even, his rivals have consistently argued that safety and political factors prevent holding an election while the war continues.

"Doing so would only create damage," stated Serhiy Rakhmanin. "He's the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a state where we lack that possibility, regardless of disagreements we might have with him. It would only aid the opponent," he continued.

Practical and Legal Challenges

Zelenskyy pointed out two major issues that require solutions: the practical issue of allowing military personnel, millions of internally displaced persons, and those in occupied territories to vote, and additionally, how to lawfully hold elections given that martial law is ongoing.

He sought advice from partner nations on protecting the elections, and from lawmakers on how to amend the law to permit a election. "{I am waiting for proposals from allies, I am awaiting suggestions from our parliamentarians, and I am willing to proceed with the elections," stated Zelenskyy.

Broader Political Context

Zelenskyy was speaking while traveling back to Ukraine after wrapping up a series of visits to multiple EU nations. This coincides with the U.S. administration has reportedly been applying pressure on Kyiv to sign a peace deal.

Recently, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed at a conference that Zelenskyy was extending the war due to worries of electoral defeat. He also suggested that his father might "withdraw support" from Ukraine if the conflict continues. "{It's not true. But it's not precisely wrong," said Trump, when asked about his son's statement.

There are indications that the U.S. has floated the idea Ukraine should relinquish the eastern territories to achieve peace, a concession that would be extremely unpopular within Ukraine. Furthermore, there is as of now no evidence that Russia is ready to sign any deal, even a deal that might seem beneficial to Moscow.