Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now reportedly signaling a major political shift, asking the country’s parliament to begin preparing a “legislative framework” for national elections — the first since 2019 — as pressure intensifies from President Donald Trump and as corruption allegations swirl around his inner circle.
Zelenskyy said this week that Ukraine could hold elections “in the next 60 to 90 days,” but tied that possibility directly to continued U.S. aid and assistance in the war against Russia. The announcement marks a sharp departure from his long-held position that elections were impossible while the country remains under martial law, which was imposed at the outset of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
The move comes as the Trump administration has ramped up pressure on Kyiv to accept a proposed peace deal and to restore democratic norms that critics say have been suspended under the cover of war. Trump has been blunt in his criticism, arguing that delaying elections undermines Ukraine’s democratic credibility.
“It’s an important time to hold an election,” Trump told Politico in an interview published Tuesday. “They’re using war not to hold an election. … It gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”
At the same time, Zelenskyy’s administration is facing a growing corruption scandal involving members of his inner circle, threatening what has until now been a firm grip on power. While details of the scandal were not outlined, its political impact has clearly added urgency to calls for renewed democratic accountability.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that significant legal changes would be required to move forward. He said lawmakers would need to amend “the legislative framework and the law on elections during martial law” in order to allow voting to take place. His request to parliament suggests that preparations could soon begin if political conditions — and U.S. support — align.
Despite the controversy, Zelenskyy’s personal standing with the Ukrainian public remains relatively strong. An August Gallup poll showed that 67% of Ukrainians continue to support him, a figure that has held steady throughout the years of war. That popularity may give him confidence that elections, if held, would legitimize his leadership rather than weaken it.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is moving ahead with additional military funding for Ukraine. The latest version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes $400 million aimed at shoring up Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The bill also allocates $200 million to U.S. European Command, with $175 million designated for security projects in the Baltic states bordering Russia.
The renewed discussion of elections highlights a critical moment in the U.S.–Ukraine relationship. Trump has made clear that continued American backing comes with expectations — not only on the battlefield, but also in restoring democratic processes that have been on hold for years.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
As Zelenskyy navigates foreign pressure, domestic political risk, and an ongoing war, the question now is whether Ukraine will move swiftly toward elections — or whether the promise of a vote will once again be delayed as geopolitical tensions continue to mount.
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