Ukrainian president orders election planning, eyes July 2025 amid ceasefire discussions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed his government to begin preparations for national elections once a full ceasefire is achieved, with elections potentially taking place as early as July 2025.

In a meeting held last week, Zelenskyy directed his team to organize elections following a complete cessation of hostilities. Sources within the Ukrainian government have reportedly revealed that the United States believes a ceasefire could be brokered by Easter, which falls on April 20, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

The first official confirmation of the elections could come on May 5, coinciding with the final deadline for parliament to vote on extending martial law, which is set to expire on May 8. The suspension of martial law would be a critical prerequisite for the election process to commence.

While opinions on the exact timing of the elections vary, most sources suggest that Zelenskyy is aiming for elections by this summer. Under Ukrainian law, campaigning must last at least 60 days, making early July the earliest feasible date for the elections. However, some sources indicate that a three-month campaign period may be necessary to allow election bodies sufficient time to update voter rolls, as has been reported to parliament.

An anonymous senior government official provided insight into Zelenskyy’s strategy, stating that the proposed July election date is an attempt to catch political opponents off guard. The short timeframe would enable Zelenskyy to run largely unchallenged. “A long campaign would tear the country apart,” one of the sources commented.

The situation surrounding the potential elections in Ukraine has garnered international attention, particularly after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the creation of an "interim government in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN" to oversee the elections. Putin suggested that Russia currently cannot determine which Ukrainian leaders to engage with, citing the possibility of new leadership emerging after the elections. He further stated that after the elections, any resulting "legitimate documents will be recognized worldwide."

In response, the United States rejected Putin’s proposal. A White House National Security Council representative emphasized that Ukraine’s system of governance is defined by its constitution and the will of the Ukrainian people, and thus dismissed Putin’s suggestion.

European leaders have also weighed in, with European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho asserting that it is up to Ukraine to decide when to hold elections. She underscored that Zelenskyy was democratically elected and remains Ukraine’s legitimate president.

Zelenskyy himself addressed Putin’s remarks, reiterating that the US had already dismissed the idea. “Officially, the White House has already responded to this, dismissing it even as an idea, stating that we have a legitimate government and I am the constitutionally elected president, chosen by our people according to our constitution,” he affirmed.

As discussions about a ceasefire and elections unfold, the political future of Ukraine remains a key focal point for both domestic and international observers.

By Vafa Guliyeva