Zelensky says elections in Ukraine possible after martial law is lifted

A new presidential election in Ukraine may be held only after martial law is lifted in the country, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on 23 February. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this on February 23.

"Presidential elections in Ukraine will be held after martial law is lifted," he said at a press conference. The broadcast was broadcast on the YouTube channel of the President's office.

Zelensky also noted that he is ready to leave his post provided that Ukraine is allowed to join NATO and the current military conflict ends with a peace agreement. He added that his goal is to ensure Ukraine's security now, not for the prospect of 20 years.

Trump quarrels with Zelensky, Europe distances itself from the U.S. What you need to know

US President Donald Trump said on February 19 that Zelensky had "done a terrible job" that had left his country destroyed and "millions of people" killed in vain. At that time, Trump also pointed to the need to hold elections in Ukraine in order to earn a seat at the negotiating table to settle the Ukrainian conflict.

At the same time, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, suggested that Zelensky was ready for any provocation to disrupt the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. According to him, the Ukrainian president is now in a difficult situation and his behavior can be absolutely "unpredictable".

Before that, on February 12, Zelensky said in an interview with The Economist that the martial law in Ukraine might end after the ceasefire with Russia is reached. However, he immediately quipped, "Probably. I don't know."

According to the provisions of the Ukrainian constitution, Zelensky's presidential term ended on May 20, 2024. Elections were supposed to be held in March this year, but they were canceled due to the martial law in Ukraine, which was imposed by the president and has been in effect since February 24, 2022.