Zelenskyy moves toward election, aiming for vote in summer 2025 — media

This was reported by The Economist, citing sources in the Ukrainian government.

The outlet notes that just two months ago, Zelenskyy was believed to be against holding elections. However, a dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in early March boosted Zelenskyy's ratings.

"Serious preparations are now underway for Mr Zelenskyy to go before the electorate for a second time, and quite soon," the article states.

According to government sources, Zelenskyy convened a meeting last week instructing his team to organize a vote after a full ceasefire, which the Americans believe they can secure by the end of April — specifically by Easter on April 20.

The Economist predicts that the first confirmation could come on or before May 5, the deadline for a parliamentary vote on whether to extend martial law, which expires on May 8. Lifting martial law is a necessary first step before the election process can begin.

Sources differ on the exact timing, but most suggest Zelenskyy is aiming for a summer election. The law requires at least 60 days for a campaign, meaning the earliest possible date would be early July.

Some sources, however, argue the campaign should last three months. Election officials reportedly told parliament they need that time to restore voter lists amid the ongoing war.

One Ukrainian official interviewed by reporters said Zelenskyy hopes to catch his rivals off guard with a July election, believing a short campaign window would allow him to run virtually unopposed.

"A long campaign would tear the country apart," the source claimed. “In fact, a rushed vote risks worsening the already bitter relations between the powerful, centralised presidential office and the rest of Ukraine’s political world,” the article adds. 

Meanwhile, opposition representatives insist a quick vote is unrealistic, citing major logistical hurdles. Serhiy Vlasenko, a lawmaker with the Batkivshchyna party, stressed that securing an effective ceasefire by May 8 would be difficult, and ensuring voting access for millions abroad, on the front lines, or in Russian-occupied regions would be even harder.

"One solution would be to use the government’s well-regarded Diia smartphone app. But that would raise questions of transparency. Any switch would mean changing the constitution, requiring a two-thirds majority in parliament. That would be difficult given that opposition parties are set against voting during wartime. The reasons are not only technical: they say a fair election first needs the dismantling of wartime propaganda and censorship," the article notes.

The Economist adds that both Trump and Putin likely oppose quick elections in Ukraine. Both had previously demanded them, believing they would lead to Zelenskyy's resignation.

"Given that the calculation has flipped upside-down, they might not sit quiet while he fast-tracks his progress to a second term. Mr Putin holds many of the cards here. His drones and missiles could make cancelling martial law — let alone holding a vote — impossible. But many think elections could help Mr Putin destabilise Ukraine even if Mr Zelensky wins," the report states.

• On March 12, President Zelenskyy reiterated that elections in Ukraine will take place only after the war ends and martial law is lifted.