Ukraine weighs wartime elections amid war

What's happened

Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law as war with Russia continues. A former defence minister has called for wartime elections, prompting a presidential debate. Zelenskyy says elections during war are a risk that could split the country, while allies discuss conditions to conduct votes safely.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

• The central question is whether a wartime electoral process can be secured without compromising security or aiding Russia's strategy.
• Zelenskyy’s position frames elections as a national risk; supporters of the idea argue that democracy should not be hostage to conflict.
• Key unknowns include how to register voters abroad and in occupied territories, how to safeguard polling stations, and how to ensure frontline soldiers can participate without undermining military focus.
• The outcome will hinge on security guarantees from allies and the logistical capacity to deploy safe, credible voting across millions of citizens, including millions abroad.
• Looking ahead, observers expect intensified debate within Ukraine’s political elite and ongoing pressure from international partners to adapt legal and security measures.

How we got here

Since Russia launched the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has operated under martial law, suspending national elections. Zelenskyy’s term ended in 2024, but continuity of government has kept leadership stable. The proposal for wartime elections has surfaced amid domestic political turmoil and ongoing fighting across the front lines.

Our analysis

UK outlets (Guardian, BBC) report Zelenskyy as opposing wartime elections, citing security risks. AFP and France 24 mirror concerns about practicalities and public opinion. Al Jazeera highlights Fedorov’s push and public protests. Across outlets, there is a common emphasis on logistical barriers, security threats, and allied conditional support.

Go deeper

• Would wartime elections actually be feasible given security risks?
• What conditions would allies require to guarantee safe voting?
• How would soldiers on the front line vote without undermining military efforts?

More on these topics

• Russia - Country

  Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in

• Mykhailo Albertovych Fedorov - Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine

  Mykhailo Albertovych Fedorov is a Ukrainian politician, and businessman currently serving as First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation since 2019.

• Ukraine - Country in Europe

  Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.

• Vladimir Putin - Russian President

  Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy - President of Ukraine

  Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.

• United States - Country in North America

  The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.

• United Kingdom - Country in Europe

  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the north­western coast of the European mainland.

• Elon Musk - CEO of SpaceX

  Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun

• France - Country in Europe

  France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.

• United Nations - Intergovernmental organization

  The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

• Norway - Country in Europe

  Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe whose mainland territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula; Mainland Norway and the remote island of Jan Mayen as well as the archi

• Kyiv - Capital and largest city of Ukraine

  Kyiv, also Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both banks of the Dnieper River. As of January 2022, the population of Kyiv was 2,952,301, making it the seventh-most populou