On Tuesday, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a resolution affirming President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy, stating that presidential and parliamentary elections will not be held until a peace agreement with Russia is reached. The resolution passed with 268 votes in favor and 12 abstentions, after previously failing due to a lack of quorum. This decision comes amid calls from some Western officials, including the United States, for Ukraine to hold elections.
In response to criticisms labeling him a “dictator,” Zelensky stated that holding elections during wartime is impossible and that the government’s priority should be ending the war and achieving peace. He also expressed Ukraine’s readiness to discuss territorial exchanges in peace negotiations with Russia, suggesting that some areas under Ukrainian control could be returned to Russia.
The approval of this resolution by the Ukrainian Parliament indicates domestic support for Zelensky’s continued leadership during wartime; however, external pressures and internal challenges persist. Ukraine’s political future will depend on peace negotiations and developments on the ground.