Aze.US
Reports about a possible announcement of presidential elections and a referendum in Ukraine have intensified debate around the war, ceasefire diplomacy, and external pressure on Kyiv, while analysts say voting during active hostilities remains unlikely.
Speculation that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could announce the timing of new presidential elections and a national referendum has become a central political topic amid the continuing war and renewed diplomatic engagement around a potential ceasefire.
Western media reports suggest Washington is interested in the prospect of elections as part of a broader negotiation framework with Moscow. Zelensky has repeatedly said voting would only be possible after a stable ceasefire, noting that Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law.
Analysts say that even if legal restrictions were lifted, organizing nationwide voting would remain extremely difficult. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are deployed on the front line, millions of citizens remain abroad, and securing thousands of polling stations under ongoing missile and drone attacks would pose major logistical and security challenges.
Additional complications include the potential use of remote or online voting systems, which could be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Against this backdrop, experts view the likelihood of elections in the coming months as low.
Military pressure also continues along the front. Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have prolonged risks for civilians, particularly during the winter period. At the same time, diplomatic activity surrounding a possible peace arrangement has intensified, including discussions involving the United States and European partners.
Speaking at international forums, Zelensky has called for stronger support for Ukraine and warned that durable peace would be impossible without increased pressure on Moscow. Kyiv has also emphasized that Europe should be fully represented alongside the United States in any negotiation process.
Further rounds of consultations involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine are expected in the near term, though neither side anticipates rapid breakthroughs. The prospects for ending the war – and for any internal political transition in Ukraine – remain closely tied to battlefield dynamics and the decisions of key external actors.