Zelensky replied to Trump about the elections: named the key security condition.

According to ТСН: The response of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the question from American leader Donald Trump about the possibility of holding elections during the war attracted significant media attention. Many perceived this as a hint that the electoral process could take place in the near future. However, Zelensky emphasized the security issues that cannot be ensured even by the most modern air defense systems.

Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko expressed this opinion on his social media.

Security during the elections

The expert notes that Zelensky's words relate not only to Patriot systems. The main condition for holding elections is a complete ceasefire.

"And this is not about 'Patriots' and other air defense systems that are supposed to close the sky (unfortunately, they do not fully close it and do not guarantee complete security). This is about a ceasefire: at a minimum in the air, and preferably a complete and comprehensive ceasefire during the preparation and conduct of elections,"

— explains Fesenko.

According to the political scientist, a single statement by the president is not enough. A clear official position from the Verkhovna Rada and the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) is needed regarding real problems, timelines, and technical conditions for voting.

Diplomatic approach

Fesenko proposes an interesting diplomatic step: to involve representatives of the White House administration in assessing the risks directly in Ukraine.

"I would advise strongly inviting representatives of the Trump administration to Ukraine as official consultants of the CEC to assess the possibility of holding elections... Let them go and not for 2-3 hours, but at least for several days, to Kherson, where Russian drones are hunting for civilians, to Kharkiv, Sumy, Nikopol, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa,"

— writes the expert.

He also suggests showing American partners the conditions prevailing closer to the front line so that they can see for themselves how elections can be organized under conditions of electricity shortages.

Fesenko also believes that American senators and congressmen should be invited to the conflict zone as observers.

"Let them see for themselves the elections during the war, if they take place, which I have great doubt about at the moment,"

— concluded Fesenko.

As a reminder, Donald Trump recently reiterated the opinion that Ukraine needs to hold elections, as they have not been held for a long time. Yuriy Romaniuk, head of the public organization 'Ukraine in NATO', explained the motives behind Trump's statements about elections in Ukraine during the war.

The discussion about the possibility of holding elections in Ukraine during the war has provoked various reactions among politicians and experts. Ensuring security during voting becomes a key issue, as the situation at the front remains tense. If Ukraine manages to create conditions under which elections can take place without endangering the lives of citizens, this could be an important step towards restoring democratic processes. But for now, the situation remains complicated and requires special attention from state authorities and international partners.