Zelenskyy Says Willing to Hold Elections
Speaking to reporters while traveling from Rome to Poland, Zelenskyy said Washington wants Ukraine to secure firm guarantees “so that we can feel it, so that we have weapons … air defense systems … and sanctions if anything happens,” though he noted details remain unresolved.
He acknowledged that some NATO members remain reluctant about Ukraine’s accession. “We are realists. We truly want to join NATO—that’s fair. But we know for sure that neither the US nor several other countries see Ukraine in the alliance yet. And Russia, of course, will never see us there,” he said.
Zelenskyy underscored that decisions on elections rest solely with Ukrainians, noting the issue was absent from recent talks with American officials despite US President Donald Trump publicly pressing for a vote. Trump earlier insisted it was “time” for Ukraine to hold an election, accusing Kyiv of “using war not to hold an election” and warning that prolonged delays could erode democracy.
Rejecting claims of political maneuvering, Zelenskyy argued the war “is unrelated to who holds office.” He said lawmakers have been tasked with drafting legislation to enable elections under martial law, while urging Western partners to provide the security framework needed amid Russian attacks.
Any nationwide vote, he stressed, would require fortified polling stations, legal reforms to guarantee legitimacy, and systems allowing front-line troops to participate. Zelenskyy confirmed his own candidacy, declaring: “I have the will and readiness for this.”
On broader security matters, he said Kyiv will deliver its finalized peace plan to Washington on Wednesday and confirmed deployment of long-range systems including Neptunes, Palyanytsia, Flamingo and Sapsan missiles.
Addressing Crimea, Zelenskyy admitted Ukraine lacks the military strength to retake the peninsula. Responding to Trump’s remarks, he said: “Maybe I said this at our first meeting, and I think I was right. Yes, we don’t have the strength to do all this today. We don’t have sufficient support for all this.”
He added that Kyiv is open to an “energy truce” if Moscow agrees, calling energy stability “important for the people.” Zelenskyy further emphasized that European partners must accept peace plan elements tied to frozen Russian assets and Ukraine’s EU membership.
With adequate support, he said, Ukraine could stage elections within two to three months.
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