Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that lifting martial law to hold elections before the war ends would compromise Ukraine’s military capabilities, creating an opening for Russia to exploit.
In an interview with ITV News, Zelenskyy stressed that while Ukraine fully supports democratic processes, elections held under current wartime conditions would pose serious risks to national security.
"What do elections mean today? I am not afraid of them at all. But what will happen? We must either end martial law or suspend it. If we suspend martial law, we will lose the army. And the Russians will be pleased," he explained.
He pointed out that without martial law, Ukraine’s military structure would be weakened, as soldiers would have the legal right to return home, morale would suffer, and combat readiness could decline — something Russia would undoubtedly exploit to launch new offensives.
The Challenge of Holding Elections During War
Beyond military concerns, Zelenskyy also addressed the logistical obstacles that make elections impractical at this time.
Millions of Ukrainians are either on the front lines, living under Russian occupation, or displaced abroad, meaning they would not be able to vote.
"If elections take place, millions of Ukrainians abroad and those in temporarily occupied areas will not be able to vote. Then Russia will claim that the elections were illegitimate. While their opinion is not relevant, they will still push this narrative," he warned.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia is actively promoting the idea of elections in Ukraine not out of concern for democracy, but as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the country.
Russia’s Political Interests in Ukraine
Zelenskyy argued that Russia views elections in Ukraine as a tool to manipulate the political landscape. Moscow’s goal, he said, is to install a pro-Kremlin leadership that would return Ukraine to Russian influence.
"For Russia, elections in Ukraine are a tool. They need someone loyal to them—anyone who can bring Ukraine back to the way things were before, under Moscow’s control. Their goal is to prevent Ukraine from integrating into the European Union, to maintain economic dependence, and to limit agricultural and industrial development," he explained.
If Russia succeeds in installing a puppet leadership, Zelenskyy warned, it would exploit Ukraine’s resources without opposition, blocking the country’s progress toward European integration.
Kellogg: Elections Are Essential
Earlier this week, U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, acknowledged that Ukraine’s Constitution prohibits elections during wartime. However, he emphasized that elections must be held as soon as conditions allow to demonstrate the resilience of Ukrainian democracy.
In a February 6 interview, Kellogg clarified that this does not mean Zelenskyy should step down but rather that elections are a necessary step when possible.
