Zelenskyy says ready to hold Ukraine elections
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on December 9, 2025, that he is ready to hold new national elections in Ukraine within 60-90 days, provided security guarantees from the US and European allies can be ensured amid the ongoing war with Russia. This comes after US President Donald Trump suggested in an interview that Ukraine was delaying elections to maintain power, prompting Zelenskyy to affirm his personal willingness and urge lawmakers to amend election laws under martial law, which currently prohibits polls.
Ukraine’s last presidential election occurred in 2019, with Zelenskyy’s term extended due to martial law imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Zelenskyy emphasized that elections depend on securing the country from Russian attacks, enabling soldier voting, and legislative changes, while openly requesting US assistance alongside European partners.
Zelenskyy is also preparing a revised 20-point peace plan to send to Washington soon, following consultations in London, Brussels, and Rome, after criticizing an initial US 28-point proposal as overly favorable to Russia. He firmly rejected ceding territories like Donbas, citing no legal or moral basis under Ukrainian law. This shift marks a change from prior stances requiring a full ceasefire or war’s end for elections.
