During the ongoing four-year Russian invasion of Ukraine, both the Kremlin and the White House have emphasized that Ukraine must conduct elections as part of any peace settlement. The Financial Times reported that Kyiv is contemplating holding presidential elections within the next three months, according to anonymous sources. This consideration comes against a backdrop of significant challenges, including the need to ensure electoral safety in a wartime context.

Currently, Ukraine is under a state of emergency, which was declared in February 2022 when Russian forces invaded, leading to military authorities prohibiting elections. President Zelensky has repeatedly mentioned that elections could only take place after a peace agreement is signed with Russia. Recently, he hinted at readiness to expedite elections as part of a U.S. plan aimed at concluding the conflict, indicating a potential shift in policy based on international diplomatic pressures and internal needs for governance.

In light of this situation, the Ukrainian government established a working group of politicians and military officials last year to explore feasible methods for conducting elections once the state of emergency is lifted. The process would require overcoming significant logistical and security hurdles, and the outcomes of such elections would have lasting implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and political stability amidst ongoing conflict.