As the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on, Ukraine’s political scene, which has been quiet under martial law, is showing signs of reawakening. With the United States reportedly pushing for a swift end to the conflict, political tensions are rising in Kyiv.
A recent flurry of political activity has seen accusations flying within the Ukrainian political landscape. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s team has been accused of prioritizing elections over the war, and Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, has claimed that a presidential appointee is sabotaging his work. Opposition figures, including former president Petro Poroshenko and ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, have also been more active, meeting foreign officials abroad and raising concerns over military decisions.
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Analysts, such as Volodymyr Fesenko, have linked the growing political unease to the international political climate, particularly developments in the US. Reuters recently reported that US President Donald Trump’s administration is encouraging Ukraine to hold a presidential election by the end of the year, especially if a ceasefire with Moscow is reached.
However, holding an election in wartime Ukraine is fraught with challenges. Large swathes of the country are occupied, millions of people are displaced, and many Ukrainians still reside abroad. Ukraine’s Central Election Commission has indicated it would take several months just to prepare for a potential election.
Zelenskiy, whose mandate would have ended in May 2023, has consistently stated that elections will only be held after martial law is lifted, as current legislation prohibits elections during this period. Despite declining public trust in his administration, Zelenskiy remains widely regarded as the legitimate leader, and polls show most Ukrainians oppose holding elections until the war concludes.
While rumors swirl about potential candidates, including Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the former head of Ukraine’s armed forces, who remains popular but has expressed no political ambitions, the broader sentiment in Ukraine remains focused on winning the war before returning to political contests. For now, the war effort continues to dominate Ukraine’s national priorities.
