On October 18th, local time, the American National Broadcasting Company (NBC) aired an interview with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy stated that if the United States and Russia demanded that Ukraine hold a wartime election, he would run for re-election.
Zelensky said: "Whether elections will be held depends first on the choice of the Ukrainian people. If the leaders of the United States and Russia insist that Ukraine should hold elections during the war, then we need a ceasefire for at least 60 days. No other form of negotiations is necessary; just 60 days, and we will make every effort to amend the laws and prepare the necessary security infrastructure."
He emphasized that it is necessary to ensure that Ukrainian military personnel can participate in the voting.
When asked whether he would participate in the elections, Zelenskyy replied, “If they are held during a war, of course I will. It is my responsibility. Because I need to protect the country until the end of the war.”
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in an NBC interview - Video screenshot
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the holding of presidential elections. On October 10, local time, Trump said in a media interview, "It's time for Ukraine to have a new president." Trump also criticized Zelenskyy for failing to reach an agreement to end the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. "He could have reached many agreements, but for some reason, he never did."
Regarding Trump’s remarks, Zelenskyy responded on the 11th that if Russian President Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire, Ukraine will hold elections.
Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine in May 2019, with a term lasting until May 2024. After the full-scale escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in February 2022, Ukraine entered a wartime state, and the scheduled new presidential election in March 2024 was not held as planned.
In February last year, the Supreme Rada of Ukraine passed a resolution regarding the impossibility of holding elections during wartime. At that time, the Supreme Rada issued a statement stating that Ukraine would hold elections according to the Supreme Rada's decision, only after "full, fair, and lasting peace" was ensured. The statement also stated that before the new president took office, Zelenskyy must continue to exercise power in accordance with constitutional provisions.
