**No Elections Planned for Ukraine**
Ukraine’s parliamentary leader, Davyd Arakhamia, says there are no plans for elections until martial law is lifted. He spoke to Suspilne on March 31.
Arakhamia was reacting to reports that the Economist said Ukraine’s elections could be held in July 2025. However, Arakhamia denied that President Volodymyr Zelensky had called a meeting about this. He said, “No elections are being prepared, no preparations are underway.”
**Preparations Will Take Time**
Serhii Dubovyk, deputy head of the Central Election Commission, agreed with Arakhamia. He told Suspilne that preparing for elections after the war will require a new law to be passed.
Ukraine’s Constitution says that parliamentary elections should be held 60 days after martial law ends, and presidential elections 90 days later. However, Dubovyk said this time period is not enough to prepare for the elections.
**Martial Law Has Prevented Elections**
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia invaded in February 2022. The Constitution prohibits elections during this time.
Russia has spread false claims that President Zelensky is illegitimate, saying his first term was meant to end on May 20, 2024. However, the invasion and declaration of martial law have extended his term. Constitutional lawyers say this is allowed under Ukrainian law.
**International Reaction**
U.S. President Donald Trump initially echoed Russia’s claims about Zelensky being a “dictator without elections.” He later criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for attacking Zelensky’s credibility.
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