Zelenskyy bows to pressure from Donald Trump and JD Vance; reports indicate Ukraine may hold elections this summer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be gearing up for elections as soon as this summer, a dramatic change from his earlier position, according to sources quoted by The Economist. Having fought off demands for early elections for months, Zelenskyy now appears to be set to run for a second term in office, even as the war rages on in Ukraine, according to the report.

Election Plans

Ukrainian authorities have told The Economist that Zelenskyy in a recent meeting directed his staff to set up for elections after a complete ceasefire, reported Pravda. The US has estimated that a ceasefire will take place by April's end, possibly on Easter Sunday, April 20, according to the report.


Ukraine’s parliament is expected to vote on 5 May on whether to extend martial law, which is currently set to expire on 8 May, reported Pravda. Lifting martial law is a necessary first step to launching an electoral process, as per the report.

Under Ukrainian law, there must be at least 60 days of campaigning, so elections might well be held in early July, according to The Economist. But election officials have indicated that a full three-month campaign may be needed to reconstitute voter lists in the middle of the war, according to the report.

Global Pressure

Pressure According to The Economist, global pressure is responsible for the change in Zelenskyy's decision. The US President Donald Trump and Kremlin's Vladimir Putin were irritated by his "stubbornness and pushed him to hold elections in the middle of the war, believing no doubt that Ukrainian voters would do them the favour of unseating him", Pravda quoted The Economist.

Even Trump's handling of Zelenskyy in early March, some think, a move that caused the Ukrainian president's approval rating to soar, as per The Economist.

Timing Uncertainty

Opposition leaders such as Petro Poroshenko, the leader of Ukraine's European Solidarity party, have speculated that elections will be held anywhere from August to October, reported The Economist. Poroshenko said that the campaign has already started, referring to Zelenskyy's February sanctions against him, as per the report.

A top Ukrainian government official said that Zelenskyy might try to surprise his opponents with an election in July, as per The Economist. A hasty election would cut down on the opportunities for opposition to take hold and would keep a prolonged campaign from further polarizing the nation, reported The Economist.

FAQs

When could the elections take place in Ukraine?
Elections could be held as early as July 2025, depending on the ceasefire and parliamentary decisions regarding martial law.

What has influenced Zelenskyy’s shift in position on early elections?
Pressure from international figures like Trump and Putin, as well as a boost in his approval ratings following Trump's treatment of him.