Zelenskyy says Ukraine polls possible only after ceasefire and safety guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is ready to hold national elections in Ukraine, but only after a peace agreement is reached and the country has the necessary security conditions in place. Speaking during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Zelenskyy made it clear that democracy cannot work in the middle of war and that citizens must be able to vote without fear.

He explained that Ukraine needs a nationwide truce — on land, in the air, and at sea — before elections can be organised. “Yes, of course, I am open to holding elections, but we must have safe circumstances,” Zelenskyy said when asked about elections during wartime. “We need security to hold elections.”

Zelenskyy stressed that elections should be free, fair, and legal, and that this is only possible if people feel protected. “We need a truce everywhere, in the battlefield, in the sky, and the sea, to make it possible for people to take part in open and democratic elections,” he said.

His comments came at a time when Ukraine is still facing regular Russian strikes, including a deadly attack in Kharkiv that killed civilians just hours before his statement. Despite the ongoing violence, Zelenskyy has continued to signal his willingness for a diplomatic resolution, and he also showed support for President Trump’s proposal for a trilateral summit involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Thanks US and allies for support

During the White House meeting, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Trump for his efforts to push for peace. “Thank you for the invitation and for your efforts to stop the killing and this war,” he said. He also thanked US First Lady Melania Trump, who had earlier written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking him to show concern for the children affected by the war.

Zelenskyy shared that his own wife had also sent a letter to Melania Trump as a gesture of goodwill. He extended his thanks to other global partners, including France, the European Union, Finland, the UK, and Germany, for standing by Ukraine.

“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. And we need support from our American and European partners,” Zelenskyy said, underlining that Ukraine cannot face the situation alone. He once again repeated that diplomacy is the only way forward, even though the fighting continues every day.

A crucial moment for diplomacy

The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump took place shortly after Trump had held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit. It also came just before a wider meeting at the White House with several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

This gathering is seen as an important moment for global diplomacy, as leaders search for a path that could lead to an end to the conflict. Zelenskyy’s willingness to consider elections after peace shows that Ukraine remains committed to democratic governance, but only under safe and stable conditions.

At the same time, he reminded the world that the situation in Ukraine is still extremely difficult. “Daily airstrikes, funerals, and destruction define life in Ukraine right now,” he said. These harsh realities show how far the country still is from achieving the security needed to hold elections.

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Still, Zelenskyy’s message of hope and readiness for democracy once peace is established has been welcomed by many global leaders. His openness to a trilateral negotiation involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine is seen as a positive step forward, though achieving such an agreement will not be easy.

Zelenskyy’s comments underline a simple truth: democracy cannot function without peace and security. He has made it clear that Ukraine will not risk holding elections in the middle of bombs, strikes, and battles. Instead, the focus must first be on securing a complete ceasefire and a durable peace deal.

Once those conditions are achieved, Ukraine will move forward with elections to reaffirm its commitment to democracy. For now, the President is relying on the support of the US, Europe, and other allies to pressure Russia and push for negotiations.

The road ahead remains difficult, but Zelenskyy’s words at the White House show his determination to protect democracy while safeguarding his people. For Ukrainians, the dream of voting freely and safely may only come true after the guns fall silent, but their leader has promised that once peace comes, the voice of the people will be heard again.