The Verkhovna Rada voted for a resolution affirming Zelensky’s mandate until the establishment of a “comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace.” The action, backed by 286 deputies with no opposition votes, de facto puts elections on hold, which have been suspended since the start of the war.
The resolution reaffirms that Zelensky was elected democratically and remains the legitimate president. It also insists that free and fair elections are now impossible due to the war, blaming Russian aggression for having derailed Ukraine’s democratic process.
Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak emphasized that elections will come only when peace returns, and he brushed off foreign pressure. “This is a decision to bring stability and to counteract Putin’s attempt to destabilize the government in Ukraine,” he said.
While he has secured parliamentary support, Zelensky previously indicated that he would step down immediately if it ushered in peace or Ukraine’s membership in NATO. But with Ukraine’s lawmakers and military chiefs supporting him, such a move appears unlikely.
The election could make negotiations with Russia and the U.S. more difficult, as Moscow has insisted that Zelensky has “no chance” of being reelected. Trump’s administration has been said to have been negotiating with Russian officials over a possible peace agreement—without direct Ukrainian involvement. The U.S. has been at odds with Ukraine over this issue. In a recent UN vote, the Trump administration joined Russia, Iran, and North Korea in vetoing a resolution to the war.
Following Ukraine’s parliament vote, there were divided opinions. Political analyst Tymofiy Mylovanov stated, “This vote puts an end to Putin’s and Trump’s attempts to erode Zelensky’s legitimacy,” and pro-Russian blogger Anatolij Sharij called it a “disgrace.”
Elon Musk, an unofficial Trump ally, weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), simply posting: “Hold an election.” While the war continues to drag on, Ukraine’s authorities are firm in their stance: stability comes first, and changes in leadership only after victory.
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