• Former U.S. President Donald Trump argues Ukraine is "not a democracy anymore" due to lack of elections during war.
  • Ukrainian authorities and opposition leaders maintain postponing elections under martial law is legal and necessary for security.
  • Most Ukrainians oppose holding elections until after the conflict ends, according to recent polling.

Political Debate Intensifies Over Wartime Governance

In a recent Politico interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Ukraine "hasn't had an election in a long time" and suggested "it gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore." The comments come as Ukraine approaches what would have been its next presidential election cycle, originally scheduled for March-April 2024 but indefinitely postponed due to martial law provisions.

Ukrainian officials have pushed back against the characterization, noting that under Article 108 of the Constitution, incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains in office until a newly elected president is sworn in. The legal framework explicitly prohibits national elections while martial law is in effect, a measure intended to ensure continuity of governance during Russia's full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.

"What institutional investors like us are really focused on is regulatory stability," said one European political analyst who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. "Ukraine in this regard has been on a very steady trajectory of maintaining constitutional order during extraordinary circumstances."

Opposition Unites Against Wartime Elections

Remarkably, Ukraine's major political factions have found common ground on this issue. Former President Petro Poroshenko and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko have both publicly opposed holding elections during the ongoing conflict, citing concerns about security, logistics, and fairness. Their positions align with polling data showing overwhelming public sentiment against wartime voting.

An October 2023 KIIS survey found 81% of Ukrainians opposed elections until after the war, and subsequent surveys in 2025 continue to show clear majority support for postponement. This consensus extends to civil society organizations, with over 200 NGOs and human rights groups arguing that holding national elections during full-scale war would endanger voters, disenfranchise millions, and fail basic standards of fairness.

While banks remain dominant in traditional political financing, Ukrainian political parties are now opening up to non-traditional support mechanisms, with international democracy organizations often partnering with domestic institutions to deploy election preparation resources.

International Context and Future Outlook

The debate over Ukraine's elections has become intertwined with broader discussions about U.S. and European aid, as some Western politicians link continued support to visible democratic processes. However, international bodies like the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly have focused on helping Ukraine design a post-war electoral framework, emphasizing that damaged infrastructure, massive displacement, and security threats currently complicate any credible vote.

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed a resolution in February 2025 reaffirming that elections should not be held during martial law and pledging to hold a presidential election after the end of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The resolution came as martial law was extended through early February 2026, keeping the presidential election on hold.

Efforts to restructure Ukraine's electoral system have accelerated behind the scenes, with election authorities working with OSCE and other partners on legal and technical preparations for post-war elections. These include updated voter lists for millions of displaced citizens, mechanisms for out-of-country voting, and safeguards against cyberattacks and disinformation.

Zelenskyy has indicated in recent statements that his decision on running again will depend on the war's outcome, telling reporters in September 2025 he is "ready" not to seek another term after the conflict ends. This could open a more competitive post-war political landscape once security conditions permit.

Experts generally predict elections will be held no earlier than several months after martial law is lifted, with significant international observation planned. Most analysts frame Ukraine's decision to postpone elections as an emergency measure consistent with historical precedents where democracies have suspended or altered elections during major wars, rather than an abandonment of democratic principles.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of Ukraine's last presidential election. It occurred in 2019, not 2014.