In a recent interview, Juhana Aunesluoma, a political history professor at the University of Helsinki, discussed the implications of holding elections in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. He emphasized that to organize elections properly, a ceasefire lasting approximately half a year would be necessary, especially given the current volatile environment. Both Russia and the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump have expressed the desire for elections in Ukraine, pressuring the Ukrainian government to comply with these demands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has indicated that he is open to the idea of holding elections, but he has laid out a precondition for a ceasefire lasting between two to three months. This timeframe is, however, seen as unrealistic by Aunesluoma, who pointed out that organizing elections in a war-torn country like Ukraine is notoriously difficult and rare. Rather than full parliamentary elections, he suggests that referendums could be arranged more swiftly, although even this option carries significant risks.

Aunesluoma warned that the potential for Russian interference in any electoral process would pose serious threats to the legitimacy and outcome of the elections. He stated that Russia's primary goal would likely be to manipulate the political landscape to its advantage, further complicating the prospects for democratic processes in Ukraine. Therefore, while dialogue about elections continues, the practicalities and dangers remain critical challenges to address in the path towards peace and stability in the region.