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The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced he is ready to conduct a presidential election amid the current war, on the condition that Ukraine's parliament and foreign partners give their consent. This statement comes after claims from the U.S. President that he was clinging to power.

Obviously annoyed by the intervention from overseas, Zelenskyy emphasized that "The decision for the citizens of Ukraine, rather than for individuals from foreign states, with all necessary respect to our partners."

Nevertheless, he vowed to examine avenues for carrying out a vote in the coming months. "Given that this question is currently being posed by the President of the United States, our key partner, I will respond briefly: understand, I am willing for elections," Zelenskyy remarked on Tuesday evening.

"Moreover, I am calling on ... the United States to help me, potentially in conjunction with European counterparts, to guarantee security for the vote, and afterwards within the coming two to three months Ukraine will be ready to hold the elections. I personally have the desire and willingness for this," he concluded.

Trump's Assertions and Ukrainian Constitutional Reality

This criticism were made by Trump in a rambling interview published by Politico earlier on Tuesday. "They have not held an election in a while," claimed the U.S. president. "Consider this, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a stage where it's not a democracy any more."

Zelenskyy's presidential term officially ended in May of last year, but the Ukrainian constitution forbids elections in a time of martial law. Furthermore, his rivals have consistently argued that safety and practical factors make it impossible holding an election while the war continues.

"Holding a vote would only create damage," commented a lawmaker from the Holos party. "Zelenskyy is the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a state where we lack that option, whatever disagreements we might have with him. It would only aid the opponent," he concluded.

Logistical and Legal Obstacles

Zelenskyy pointed out two key issues that must be resolved: the practical issue of permitting military personnel, the many internally displaced persons, and those in occupied territories to vote, and additionally, how to lawfully conduct a vote given that a state of war is ongoing.

He asked for guidance from partner nations on safeguarding the elections, and from MPs on how to amend the constitution to enable a election. "{I am expecting suggestions from partners, I am waiting for ideas from our MPs, and I am willing to proceed with the elections," said Zelenskyy.

Broader Political Background

Zelenskyy was speaking while returning to Ukraine after completing a series of visits to several European capitals. This coincides with the White House has reportedly pushing on Kyiv to sign a ceasefire agreement.

Recently, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., asserted at a conference that Zelenskyy was extending the war due to worries of losing power. He also indicated that his father might "withdraw support" from Ukraine if the conflict persists. "{It's not correct. But it's not precisely wrong," responded Trump, when questioned about his son's statement.

It has been suggested that the U.S. has proposed Ukraine should cede the eastern territories to secure peace, a concession that would be highly controversial within Ukraine. Furthermore, there is presently no evidence that Russia is ready to sign any agreement, even a deal that might seem advantageous to Moscow.