US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to move forward with national elections, signaling growing concern in Washington over the country’s democratic direction. His remarks, published Tuesday in an interview with Politico, challenge President Vladimir Zelensky at a moment when Ukraine’s political institutions operate under the constraints of prolonged martial law.
Zelensky’s mandate formally ended in May 2024. He has argued that an election cannot be safely or fairly conducted while the country remains under martial law, a framework introduced after Russia’s full-scale offensive in February 2022 and extended repeatedly by parliament. Kyiv maintains that wartime conditions complicate everything from campaigns to voter access.
Trump questioned that rationale, saying Ukraine should not rely indefinitely on the conflict to postpone a vote. He noted that a long gap without elections risks undermining the democratic standards Ukraine presents to its allies. In his words, Ukraine “hasn’t had an election in a long time” and must ensure that its political system remains accountable.
Pressed on whether Kyiv should proceed with the polls, Trump said “it’s time,” arguing that moments of uncertainty can also be moments for reaffirming public consent. His comments reflect a broader debate about governance during war, where states must balance security considerations with the continuity of democratic processes.
The issue now sits at the intersection of domestic legitimacy and international perception, a familiar tension in countries navigating conflict. Ukraine’s decision on elections will shape not only its immediate political landscape but also how its partners interpret the country’s resilience and institutional integrity in a period defined by transition and strain.