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| US President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, DC on October 17, 2025 |
Kyiv, Ukraine
The debate over whether Ukraine should hold national elections during an active war has escalated from a constitutional technicality to a topic of intense geopolitical pressure. Following recent statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump accusing Kyiv of “using war to cling to power,” Ukraine now faces not just internal scrutiny, but also heavy external expectations.
Legal Framework Forbids It — And for Good Reason
Ukraine’s constitution explicitly states that no elections can take place under martial law. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, martial law has been repeatedly extended with near-unanimous support from all major parties.
Ending martial law, even briefly, would dismantle the unified chain of command, interrupt military operations, and open the door to political conflict at a time when national unity is essential for survival.
Moreover, lifting martial law simply to please an external political request would set a dangerous precedent—allowing outside actors to influence Ukraine’s sovereign constitutional order.
Logistical and Security Nightmares
Holding elections during wartime is not just unconstitutional—it is physically impossible under current conditions.
- Millions in Flux: More than 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees are abroad. Millions more have been displaced internally. Creating a secure, up-to-date voter registry is beyond reach.
- Occupied Territories: Russia controls large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine. Excluding these voters would delegitimize the election and concede temporary forfeiture of sovereignty.
- Constant Attacks: Polling places, election officials, and voters face real threats from missile, artillery, and drone strikes. There is no practical way to guarantee security.
- Frontline Soldiers: Hundreds of thousands of troops cannot safely participate without revealing positions or weakening defenses.
- Communication Infrastructure: Critical systems—mobile networks, power grids, and administrative centers—remain prime targets for Russian attacks.
A Question of Sovereignty and National Unity
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that this is a “time for defense, not for politics.” Ukraine’s major political parties remain bound by a wartime Unity Pact, agreeing to suspend political competition until the existential threat is resolved.
A senior Ukrainian analyst summarized the dilemma:
“Without a functioning state, there is no electorate, no constitution, and no democracy. Survival must come before elections.”
International Pressure and Political Messaging
Trump’s comments come amid broader geopolitical maneuvering. For some international actors, pushing Ukraine to hold elections is a political strategy rather than a concern for democracy. Critics argue that such pressure aims to project instability or division within Ukraine’s leadership.
Ukraine, however, insists that democratic norms are best protected by following constitutional limits—not by yielding to external rhetoric.
European partners, including the EU Commission and NATO officials, have largely supported Kyiv’s position, stating that wartime elections are neither safe nor legitimate under current conditions.
What Would Happen If Ukraine Attempted an Election?
If Ukraine tried to organize a national vote under current wartime constraints, experts warn of multiple catastrophic outcomes:
- Voter Suppression by Necessity: Millions unable to vote would delegitimize the results.
- Russian Exploitation: Moscow could conduct targeted strikes on polling centers to destabilize the process.
- Fragmentation of Unity: Political rivalries could fracture wartime solidarity on the battlefield and in governance.
- Legal Crisis: Conducting elections under martial law would violate the constitution, enabling future legal and political challenges.
A Future Election Depends on Victory
Ukraine’s future elections—free, fair, and representative—depend on restoring territorial control and ending the war. Until then, Kyiv argues that its priority must remain national survival.
The ongoing debate underscores a fundamental truth: democracy cannot function while a nation is fighting for its very existence.
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- Dissecting the Plans: A Look at Proposed Ukraine Peace Frameworks
- Martial Law and Democracy: How Ukraine’s Institutions Have Adapted
- The Cost of Unity: Ukraine’s Political Landscape After Two Years of War