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The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he is willing to conduct a national election amid the current war, if Ukraine's parliament and international allies give their consent. This comment is a response to claims from the U.S. President that he was refusing to relinquish control.

Obviously frustrated by the remarks from overseas, Zelenskyy underscored that "This is a matter for the people of Ukraine, rather than for individuals from partner countries, with all appropriate respect to our friends."

However, he pledged to investigate options for carrying out a vote in the next few months. "Given that this issue is now being raised by the leader of the United States, our key partner, I will reply directly: look, I am ready for elections," Zelenskyy said on Tuesday night.

"In addition, I am requesting ... the United States to help me, possibly alongside EU partners, to guarantee safety for the polls, and subsequently within the following 60-90 day period Ukraine will be prepared to organize the elections. I individually have the desire and willingness for this," he concluded.

The U.S. President's Criticism and Ukrainian Legal Reality

This criticism were voiced by Trump in a wide-ranging interview released by Politico earlier on Tuesday. "They have not held an election in a long time," stated the U.S. president. "You know, they speak of a democracy, but it reaches a point where it's no longer democratic any more."

Zelenskyy's five-year term officially ended in May of last year, but the country's fundamental law forbids elections in a time of armed conflict. Furthermore, his rivals have stated repeatedly that security and practical factors make it impossible organizing an election amid the ongoing conflict.

"Doing so would only be detrimental," commented Serhiy Rakhmanin. "Zelenskyy is the supreme military commander, and the country is in a situation where we lack that possibility, regardless of problems we might have with him. It would only benefit the enemy," he concluded.

Practical and Constitutional Hurdles

Zelenskyy identified two key questions that need solving: the logistical challenge of permitting soldiers, the many internally displaced persons, and those in occupied territories to vote, and additionally, how to constitutionally hold elections when martial law is ongoing.

He sought guidance from partner nations on securing the elections, and from lawmakers on how to amend the law to enable a vote. "{I am awaiting suggestions from partners, I am waiting for suggestions from our MPs, and I am prepared to proceed with the elections," said Zelenskyy.

Broader Diplomatic Context

Zelenskyy was speaking while traveling back to Ukraine after completing a round of talks to various European capitals. This comes as the White House has reportedly been applying pressure on Kyiv to agree to a settlement.

Recently, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., asserted at a forum that Zelenskyy was dragging out the war due to fears of being ousted. He also hinted that his father might "walk away" from Ukraine if the conflict does not end. "{It's not accurate. But it's not exactly wrong," responded Trump, when questioned about his son's statement.

There are indications that the U.S. has floated the idea Ukraine should cede the eastern territories to achieve peace, a proposal that would be highly controversial within Ukraine. Furthermore, there is currently little indication that Russia is ready to agree to any deal, including one that might appear beneficial to Moscow.