Navigating Wartime: Understanding the Term Length of Ukrainian Presidents

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s five-year term officially concluded on May 20th, yet he remains in office. This situation has predictably sparked debate, particularly from the Kremlin, questioning the legitimacy of his continued leadership. However, these challenges ignore the complex realities of conducting elections in a nation at war and the clear legal and popular support for his extended tenure.

In peacetime, Ukraine operates under a democratic system with regular presidential elections. Typically, Ukrainian presidents are elected for a five-year term. This established term limit ensures a regular democratic transition of power, a cornerstone of stable governance. Prior to the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine successfully held multiple presidential and parliamentary elections, consistently recognized as free and fair by international observers.

President Zelenskyy during a Reuters interview in Kyiv, May 20, 2024, highlighting his continued leadership amidst the war.

However, the onset of full-scale war has fundamentally altered the landscape. Holding elections under the current circumstances is fraught with insurmountable challenges, primarily centered around security.

The Impossibility of Wartime Elections

The most significant barrier to holding elections is ensuring the safety of Ukraine’s citizens. Elections require mass gatherings at polling stations across the country, a scenario that is simply untenable given Russia’s proven willingness to target civilian populations. Protecting millions of voters and election officials from potential Russian attacks is an impossible task at present. This security risk also inherently precludes the presence of international election monitors, further compromising the credibility of any potential vote.

Furthermore, the participation of Ukrainian soldiers, the very individuals defending the nation, presents another major hurdle. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men and women are currently serving in the armed forces. Enabling them to vote, either as participants or candidates, is logistically and practically unfeasible. President Zelenskyy himself underscored this point in March, stating it would be “unfair if those defending our land were denied the opportunity to vote.” Gathering soldiers for voting would also create highly vulnerable targets for Russian military action.

Disrupted Campaigns and Displaced Populations

Beyond security concerns, a fair and open election campaign is impossible under current conditions. Traditional campaign activities like rallies and public meetings would be exceptionally dangerous due to the risk of Russian bombardment. While an online campaign might be theoretically possible, it would fall drastically short of established democratic standards and create a fertile ground for Russian disinformation and interference.

The massive displacement of the Ukrainian population adds another layer of complexity. Millions of Ukrainians have been internally displaced within the country, and millions more have sought refuge abroad. Updating voter registries to accommodate these shifts in population would be a monumental administrative undertaking, raising complex questions about residency and registration. The millions of Ukrainian refugees, a significant portion of whom are eligible to vote, pose an even greater challenge. Existing procedures for overseas voting are not designed to handle such large numbers, and Ukrainian embassies and consulates would be overwhelmed. Excluding these refugees from the vote would fundamentally undermine the democratic legitimacy of any election.

Domestic and International Understanding

Despite the Kremlin’s attempts to exploit the situation, there is broad understanding both within Ukraine and internationally regarding the necessity of postponing elections. Recent polls indicate strong public support in Ukraine for delaying elections until after the war. A February 2024 poll by the International Republican Institute revealed that 67% of Ukrainians oppose holding presidential elections during the ongoing Russian invasion.

This consensus extends across Ukraine’s political spectrum. All parliamentary factions signed a memorandum in November 2023 agreeing to postpone both presidential and parliamentary elections until the cessation of hostilities. Ukrainian civil society organizations overwhelmingly share this view, with over 100 groups issuing a joint statement in September 2023 rejecting wartime elections.

Historical Context and Democratic Imperative

Ukraine is not unique in postponing elections during wartime. Historically, many democratic nations have taken similar steps when faced with existential threats. Winston Churchill, for example, repeatedly postponed general elections in Britain during World War II, without facing accusations of undermining democracy.

Ukraine’s commitment to democracy is undeniable, evidenced by its two pro-democracy revolutions in recent decades. The current conflict is, in essence, a fight to protect Ukraine’s democratic values against Russian authoritarianism. Ukrainians understand that holding elections amidst the largest European conflict since World War II is simply not feasible. President Zelenskyy’s continued leadership, therefore, is not a sign of democratic backsliding but a pragmatic and legally sound response to extraordinary circumstances, supported by the Ukrainian people and the international community. His legitimacy rests not just on the technicalities of term limits, but on the overwhelming need for stability and unity in the face of ongoing aggression, a principle widely accepted until conditions allow for a safe and credible democratic process to resume.

Dr. Elena Davlikanova, a Democracy Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and an associate professor at Sumy State University in Ukraine, provides expert analysis on this critical issue.