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The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared he is willing to organize a presidential election amid the ongoing war, on the condition that the Verkhovna Rada and foreign partners give their consent. This announcement is a response to accusations from Donald Trump that he was holding onto his position.

Clearly frustrated by the comments from overseas, Zelenskyy emphasized that "The decision for the citizens of Ukraine, and not for individuals from other nations, with all appropriate respect to our friends."

Nevertheless, he promised to examine possibilities for scheduling a poll in the next few months. "Given that this issue is currently being posed by the President of the United States, our key partner, I will answer succinctly: listen, I am ready for elections," Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday night.

"Moreover, I am calling on ... the United States to help me, possibly alongside European colleagues, to ensure safety for the elections, and afterwards within the next 60 to 90 days Ukraine will be prepared to hold the elections. I individually have the will and readiness for this," he continued.

Trump's Assertions and The Country's Legal Reality

This criticism were expressed by Trump in a wide-ranging interview conducted by Politico earlier on Tuesday. "They haven't had an election in a long time," stated the U.S. president. "Consider this, they speak of a democratic nation, but it reaches a point where it's undemocratic any more."

Zelenskyy's mandate expired in May of last year, but the Ukrainian constitution bans elections during wartime. Furthermore, his rivals have often said that safety and practical factors do not permit holding an election amid the ongoing conflict.

"Holding a vote would only create damage," said a lawmaker from the Holos party. "He's the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a position where we don't have that luxury, whatever issues we might have with him. It would only aid the adversary," he concluded.

Practical and Constitutional Challenges

Zelenskyy highlighted two key questions that must be resolved: the logistical issue of permitting soldiers, millions of refugees, and those living under occupation to vote, and secondly, how to legally conduct a vote when a state of war is ongoing.

He sought guidance from partner nations on protecting the elections, and from MPs on how to modify the constitution to allow a election. "{I am waiting for suggestions from allies, I am awaiting suggestions from our parliamentarians, and I am prepared to proceed with the elections," affirmed Zelenskyy.

Broader Diplomatic Context

Zelenskyy made these remarks while returning to Ukraine after completing a series of visits to several European capitals. This coincides with the U.S. administration has reportedly applying pressure on Kyiv to sign a peace deal.

Over the weekend, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., suggested at a forum that Zelenskyy was dragging out the war due to worries of being ousted. He also suggested that his father might "disengage" from Ukraine if the hostilities does not end. "{It's not true. But it's not entirely wrong," commented Trump, when questioned about his son's claim.

There are indications that the U.S. has floated the idea Ukraine should cede the Donbas region to achieve peace, a proposal that would be highly rejected within Ukraine. Additionally, there is currently no sign that Russia is willing to accept any deal, even one that might appear favorable to Moscow.