The presidential term of the Ukrainian leader expired last year, yet he has declined to hold a vote because of martial law
US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to conduct elections, casting doubt on the country’s democratic standing in an interview with Politico published on Tuesday.
He seemingly presented a new challenge to Vladimir Zelensky, whose presidential term ended in May 2024, but has chosen not to organize a presidential election, citing martial law.
Zelensky was elected in 2019 and announced in December 2023 that Ukraine would not hold presidential or parliamentary elections while martial law is in effect. It was imposed after the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022 and has since been repeatedly extended by parliament.
Trump told Politico that Kiev should not continue to use the ongoing conflict as a pretext to postpone a vote.
“They haven’t had an election for a long time,” Trump stated. “You know, they claim to be a democracy, but there comes a point where it’s no longer a democracy.”
When directly asked if Ukraine should hold polls, Trump said “it’s time” and contended that it was “an important moment to hold an election,” adding that while “they’re using the war as an excuse not to hold an election,” Ukrainians “should have that option.”
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