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Next Ukrainian presidential election

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Next Ukrainian presidential election
← 2019
TBA
Not before 31 October 2026
Opinion polls
Incumbent President

Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Servant of the People


Presidential elections were scheduled to be held in Ukraine in March or April 2024. However, as martial law has been in effect since 24 February 2022 in response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, no elections were held because Ukrainian law does not allow presidential elections to be held when martial law is in effect.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Martial law has been extended in 90-day intervals since the full-scale invasion with parliament's approval, and has most recently (as of August 2026) been extended for the 20th time until 31 October 2026.[9]

On 25 September 2025, Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Axios that he was "ready" to not run again after the war's conclusion.[10][11] On 15 December 2025, Zelenskyy said in an interview with ZDF that he would run if the next election was held during the war, but was unsure if he would run in peacetime.[12]: 35:06 

Background

Postponement

Article 19 of Ukraine's "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" bans presidential, parliamentary, and local elections under martial law,[13] while Article 10 states that the powers of the president, parliament, and Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine cannot be terminated under martial law.[14][15] Article 108 of the Constitution of Ukraine stipulates that "The President of Ukraine exercises his or her powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President of Ukraine",[16] allowing incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to legitimately remain president until the next president is sworn in, even after the expiration of the five-year term to which he was elected in 2019.[17]

Apart from the legal prohibition, both government and opposition politicians in Ukraine questioned the feasibility of a 2024 election, citing concerns over security and displaced voters[2][17] as the Russian invasion continued. Russia controls 18% of Ukraine's territory as of October 2024,[18] and nearly 14 million Ukrainians have either fled abroad or been displaced internally.[2][17][13] Other challenges identified include danger to voters and likely disruption of the voting process[13] due to Russian bombardment;[19] the inability of citizens in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to vote;[19] the inability of soldiers to vote or run as candidates;[17] damaged polling infrastructure;[17] an outdated voter registry that has not been updated to reflect millions of displaced voters;[13] expanded state powers and restricted rights under martial law that would limit campaigning[13] and prevent fair competition for opposition candidates;[20] and the lack of funds.[17]

A poll released by KIIS in October 2023 reported that 81% of Ukrainians did not want elections until the war was over,[21] and more than 200 civil society institutions, NGOs, and human rights groups have formally opposed wartime elections.[19] In November 2023, Zelenskyy said "now is not the right time for elections", in response to a claim by European Solidarity MP Oleksiy Goncharenko that Zelenskyy had decided to hold elections on 31 March 2024.[22] Later in November, all political parties represented in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's national parliament) signed a document in which they agreed to postpone holding any national election until after the end of martial law[23] and agreed to work on a special law that would regulate the first post-war election, which would take place no earlier than six months after the cancellation of martial law.[24]

The postponement of the election was criticised by representatives of the Russian government. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian president Vladimir Putin, contended that the move deprived Zelenskyy of formal legitimacy; Russia held its own presidential election in 2024, which was criticised by international observers as having unprecedented levels of fraud and irregularity.[25][26]

On 26 February 2025, after a previous failed vote on a similar resolution,[27] the Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution reaffirming that elections should not be held during martial law, and also pledged to hold a presidential election upon the conclusion of the Russo-Ukrainian War.[28] On 6 March 2025 opposition politicians Petro Poroshenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, after having confirmed that they had held discussions with United States representatives, confirmed that they still opposed elections held during wartime.[29]

On 9 December 2025, after pressure from US President Donald Trump to hold elections, Zelenskyy said he was ready to hold elections in 60 to 90 days if the US and Ukraine's European allies ensured the necessary security.[30][31][32] In the 19 December 2025 Direct Line with Vladimir Putin press conference president Putin stated that he was ready to "consider ensuring security" inside Ukraine on a Ukrainian election day.[33] He claimed this would be "At the very least, to stop, to refrain from strikes deep into the territory on the voting day."[33] Putin then demanded that the, according to him "about 5 to 10 million", Ukrainian citizens "currently residing in Russia be given the right to vote on the territory of the Russian Federation."[33] The Verkhovna Rada formed a special working group for preparing a bill on holding a presidential election under martial law that had its first session on 26 December 2025.[34][35][36] A poll released by KIIS on 5 January 2026 reported that 10% of Ukrainians believed elections should be held before the war was over.[37] 23% believed elections should take place after a truce had begun and security guarantees were obtained.[37] 59% were convinced that elections were only possible after the war ends.[37]

Electoral system

The president of Ukraine is elected for a five-year term using the two-round system; if no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is expected to take place three weeks after the first.[38] According to Article 103 of the constitution, in the event of pre-term termination of presidential authority, the election of a new president must take place within 90 days of the previous president's departure from office.[39]

The constitution allows presidents to serve a maximum of two terms in office, though only Leonid Kuchma has served a second term.[40]

Candidates

Declared

Name Born Affiliation Experience Key dates

Valerii Zaluzhnyi		 8 July 1973 (53)
Novohrad-Volynskyi, Zhytomyr Oblast		 Independent Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2024–present)
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2021–2024)		 Announced intention: 1 July 2026 (2026-07-01) (privately according to Ukrainska Pravda sources)[41]

Petro Poroshenko		 26 September 1965 (61)
Bolhrad, Odesa Oblast		 European Solidarity People's Deputy (1998–2007, 2012–14, 2019–present)
President of Ukraine (2014–2019)
Minister of Trade and Economic Development (2012)
Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009–10)		 Announced intention: 2 April 2024 (2024-04-02)[42]

Oleksii Arestovych		 3 August 1975 (51)
Dedoplistsqaro, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union		 Independent Adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine (2020–2023)
Speaker of the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine (2020–2022)		 Announced intention: 1 November 2023 (2023-11-01)[43]

Potential

Name Born Affiliation Experience Comment

Volodymyr Zelenskyy		 25 January 1978 (48)
Kryvyi Rih,
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast		 Servant of the People President of Ukraine (2019–present) Indicated he is "ready" to not run again after the war’s conclusion.[44][45] Later said he would run if the next election is during the war, and is not sure if he will run if the election is in peacetime[12]: 35:06 

Mykhailo Fedorov		 21 January 1991 (35)
Vasylivka,
Zaporizhzhia Oblast		 Independent Minister of Defense (2026)
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine (2025–2026)
Minister of Digital Transformation (2019–2026)		 Publicly called for wartime elections on August 18, 2026 after his dismissal. Did not explicitly state whether he would run. Polls indicated he may defeat Zelenskyy in second round.[46]

Kyrylo Budanov		 4 January 1986 (40)
Kyiv		 Independent Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (2026–present)
Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (2020-2026)		 Has not publicly expressed any intention to run[46] but declined to commit to not running[47]. Polls indicated he may defeat Zelenskyy in second round.[48]

Ihor Terekhov		 14 January 1967 (59)
Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast		 Kernes Bloc — Successful Kharkiv Mayor of Kharkiv (2021-present)
Kharkiv City Council deputy (2015-2021)
Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv (2010-2015)
Deputy Head of Governor of Kharkiv Oblast (2007-2010)		 Has increasingly been featured in polling as a viable dark-horse contender for the next presidential election.[49] Scored among the highest levels of trust and lowest distrust for politicians.[50][51] Was one of the four shortlisted candidates for prime minister during the July 2026 government reshuffle.[52] Speculated to be forming a potential political team with Vitalii Kim.[53][54] Stated that he will be "in Kharkiv until the end of the war" and opposed wartime voting.[55]

Andriy Biletsky		 5 August 1979 (47)
Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast		 National Corps Commander of the 3rd Army Corps (2025-present)
Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade (2023-2025)
People's Deputy (2014-2019)
Commander of the Azov Brigade (2014)		 Leader of the far-right National Corps party. Currently a Brigadier General in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and commander of the 3rd Army Corps. He has stated that he is currently focused solely on military missions and will decide on post-war political plans only "after the war ends."[56]

Dmytro Razumkov		 8 October 1983 (43)
Berdychiv,
Zhytomyr Oblast		 Smart Politics People's Deputy (2019-present)
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (2019-2021)		 Former Chairman of Parliament and former leader of the Servant of the People party. Broke with President Zelenskyy in 2021, subsequently impeached and left the party. He later founded the cross-factional caucus Smart Politics. He had previously questioned the legitimacy of President Zelenskyy's wartime power[57] and initiated a petition in parliament demanding the cabinet's resignation.[58][59] Has been included in some polls as a potential candidate.[60][61] Stated that presidential elections should be held only after the end of the war and martial law[62].

Yulia Tymoshenko		 27 November 1960 (65)
Dnipropetrovsk,
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast		 Batkivshchyna People's Deputy
(1997-2000, 2002-2005, 2006-2007, 2007, 2014-present)
Prime Minister of Ukraine (2005, 2007-2010)
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine (1999-2001)		 Served twice as Prime Minister of Ukraine and ran for president three times. Has recently been embroiled in corruption allegations, and her public support has shrunk to single digits.[63] Stated that elections should not be held during wartime.[64]

Serhiy Prytula		 22 June 1981 (45)
Zbarazh, Ternopil Oblast		 24 August TV personality, comedian, fundraiser TV personality and prominent fundraiser who raises significant funds for the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[65] Previously affiliated with the Holos party before leaving amid internal conflict, later attempting to form a new party called 24 August.[66] Been floated as a potential election contender by polls and media.[67] Has publicly stated that "The first step is victory" before "everything else".[68]

Opinion polls

% of support0204060801003/31/20192/3/202111/4/20213/12/2025ZelenskyyRazumkovPoroshenkoTymoshenkoBoykoSmeshkoLiashkoTyahnybokKlitschkoGroysmanMurayevZaluzhnyiBudanovOpinion polling for the next Ukrainian presi...

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Zelensky's First Term Is Almost Up. No One's Sure What Happens Next". The New York Times. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Yuliia Dysa (3 November 2023). "Ukraine's Zelenskiy ponders idea of 2024 election during war". Reuters.
  3. ↑ Yurii Kliuchkovskyi and Volodymyr Venher (July 2022). "Organisation and holding of elections in post-war Ukraine. Prerequisites and challenges". Council of Europe.
  4. ↑ "PACE President Tiny Kox: It is up to the Government, Parliament and the people of Ukraine to decide when and how to conduct elections". Council of Europe Office in Ukraine. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ukraine legislature extends martial law and general mobilization through November". Jurist. 28 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ukrainian Parliament extends martial law and general mobilisation". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Ukraine's parliament extends martial law for 90 days". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Ukraine extends martial law and mobilization until May 4". news.liga.net. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Kanyshai, Butun (24 July 2026). "Ukraine extends martial law, mobilization for another 90 days". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Eruygur, Burç (25 September 2025). "Zelenskyy says he is ready to leave office after end of Russia-Ukraine war". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Denisova, Kateryna (25 September 2025). "Zelensky says he won't seek re-election after war, will push for elections during potential ceasefire". Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Präsident Selenskyj bei Markus Lanz". ZDFheute (in German). 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Reaney, Lee; Wasserman, Joel (11 July 2023). "Wartime Elections in Ukraine Are Impossible". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 30 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "Five years of Zelenskyyʼs presidency will expire in May 2024. Some analysts and enemies say he will lose legitimacy. It's true? — No, this is an unconstitutional delusion. Babelʼs legal and anti-fake analysis". babel.ua. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  15. ↑ Про правовий режим воєнного стану [On the legal regime of martial law]. 2015. § 10, § 19.
  16. ↑ Article 108, Constitution of Ukraine, 1996
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Abdurasulov, Abdujalil (25 November 2023). "Ukraine war: Fierce row erupts over 2024 election". BBC News. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "War in Ukraine". Global Conflict Tracker. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 Oz, Katerji (17 November 2023). "Zelensky Is Following Ukrainian Law in Postponing Elections". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 30 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ "Zelensky's term would have expired this month, but he's staying. Russia wants to use it". The Kyiv Independent. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Press releases and reports - When elections should be held, attitudes towards online voting and attitudes towards possible restrictions on citizens' rights: results of a telephone survey conducted on September 30-October 11, 2023". Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "«Вибори не на часі» – Зеленський прокоментував заяви про можливість виборів у 2024 році". Радіо Свобода (in Ukrainian). 6 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Ukraine's political parties agree on carrying out elections only after the war". Ukrainska Pravda. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "Conclusions of the ninth Jean Monnet dialogue" (PDF) (in Ukrainian). Verkhovna Rada. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Kremlin claims Zelenskyy's fate is "sealed"". Ukrainska Pravda. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "Meduza breaks down the evidence pointing to the most fraudulent elections in modern Russian history". Meduza. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  27. ↑ "Проект Постанови про Заяву Верховної Ради України про підтримку демократії в Україні в умовах агресії російської федерації" (in Ukrainian). Verkhovna Rada. 24 February 2025.
  28. ↑ "Про Заяву Верховної Ради України про підтримку демократії в Україні в умовах агресії російської федерації [On the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Support for Democracy in Ukraine in the Face of Aggression by the Russian Federation]" (in Ukrainian). Verkhovna Rada. 26 February 2025.
  29. ↑ "Ukraine opposition leaders confirm talks with US but deny plotting to oust Zelenskyy". The Guardian. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  30. ↑ Melkozerova, Veronika (10 December 2025). "Zelenskyy teases wartime election to disarm attacks from Trump and Putin". POLITICO. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  31. ↑ "Zelenskyy Open To Wartime Elections In Ukraine If US, Allies Can Guarantee Security". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  32. ↑ Gunter, Joel; Bubalo, Mattea (10 December 2025). "Ukraine 'ready for elections' if partners guarantee security, Zelensky says". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  33. 1 2 3 Teslova, Elena (19 December 2025). "Putin says ceasefire in Ukraine 'possible' if Kyiv allows its citizens in Russia to vote in elections". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  34. ↑ "Ukraine's parliament begins work on law for elections under martial law". The New Voice of Ukraine. 26 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  35. ↑ Mazurenko, Alona (22 December 2025). "Ukrainian parliament sets up group to work on presidential election under martial law". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Arakhamia explains idea of simultaneous presidential elections and referendum on peace deal". The New Voice of Ukraine. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  37. 1 2 3 "Only 10% of Ukrainians support holding elections before a ceasefire – poll". The New Voice of Ukraine. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  38. ↑ "Electoral system for the president: Ukraine". IDEA.
  39. ↑ Article 103, Constitution of Ukraine, 1996
  40. ↑ "From Kravchuk to Zelenskyy: Analysis of New Year's Addresses by Ukrainian Presidents". Vox Ukraine. 2 January 2025.
  41. ↑ "One name on the ballot and two potential challengers: how Zelenskyy is trying to keep the generals out of politics". Ukrainska Pravda. 1 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Poroshenko plans to run for president again after war ends". The Kyiv Independent. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  43. ↑ "Zelenskyy's former advisor Arestovych to stand in future elections". english.nv.ua. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  44. ↑ Eruygur, Burç (25 September 2025). "Zelenskyy says he is ready to leave office after end of Russia-Ukraine war". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  45. ↑ Ravid, Barak; Lawler, Dave (25 September 2025). "Exclusive: Zelensky "ready" to leave office after war ends". Axios. Retrieved 16 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  46. 1 2 Schneid, Rebecca. "Zelenskyy Faces Pressure to Hold Elections. What Stands in the Way?". TIME. Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  47. ↑ "Kyiv dropped autumn election plan after Zaluzhnyi and Budanov refused to step aside". NV. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  48. ↑ "Poll finds Zelenskyy would lose to Zaluzhnyi, Budanov and Fedorov in second round of elections". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  49. ↑ "Zelenskyy and ambassador Zaluzhnyi lead presidential ratings, highest "second-choice" support revealed". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  50. ↑ "Ukraine's former commander-in-chief to run for president, reports say". Yahoo News Singapore. 1 July 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  51. ↑ "Press releases and reports - Trust in President V. Zelenskyy and other public figures: results of a survey conducted on May 7-June 3, 2026". kiis.com.ua. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  52. ↑ "Four candidates being considered for post of Ukraine's prime minister – source". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  53. ↑ "Kim and Terekhov are entering the world of big-time politics. What does Zelenskyy have to do with this?". LIGA.net. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  54. ↑ Podolyak, Lilia (11 March 2026). "Strong managers, not professional politicians: expert on the good prospects of the Terekhov-Kim party". Ukrainian National News (UNN). Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  55. ↑ "Terekhov: I will definitely be in Kharkiv until the end of the war". LIGA.net. 18 September 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  56. ↑ "Biletsky on his political future after war: When war ends, then we'll decide". Interfax-Ukraine. 31 July 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  57. ↑ "Razumkov: To avoid discrepancies about president's legitimacy, it was necessary to obtain clarification from Constitutional Court long ago". Interfax-Ukraine. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  58. ↑ "Dmytro Razumkov Calls for Cabinet Resignation Amid Government Criticism". Ukraine news - #Mezha. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  59. ↑ "Ex-Rada speaker Razumkov demands Cabinet dismissal, cites failures". The New Voice of Ukraine. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  60. ↑ "Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi lead tight presidential survey as Fedorov takes third place". The New Voice of Ukraine. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  61. ↑ Drabkina, Yelyzaveta (26 February 2025). "Залужний, Зеленський чи Буданов. Кого б українці хотіли обрати президентом — дослідження". The New Voice of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  62. ↑ ""If elections are held during martial law, Zelenskyy will get 102%" – Dmytro Razumkov | Ukrainian news". ukranews.com. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  63. ↑ Mathers, Jennifer (12 February 2026). "Ukraine: if elections are held this spring, who might be the next president?". The Conversation. doi:10.64628/AB.fw6gjyncg. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  64. ↑ "Ukrainian opposition leaders dismiss idea of wartime election". Reuters. 6 March 2025.
  65. ↑ "Zelenskyy is arming Kyiv residents — a former rival is helping supply the rest". POLITICO. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  66. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Serhiy Prytula creates the party "August 24", Ukrayinska Pravda (5 February 2022)
  67. ↑ "Will Zelensky call Ukraine election - And could he lose? What we know". Newsweek. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  68. ↑ DemDigest (5 October 2023). "Ukraine: Wartime elections a distraction?". Democracy Digest. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
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