Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Russian government shows its true colors regarding a Ukrainian election.
A new political clash has emerged as Moscow moves to discredit Ukraine’s plans for national elections, even before Kyiv completes the legal steps required to hold them.
The dispute unfolded after President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled he was willing to return Ukrainians to the polls despite the ongoing war.
According to recent statements cited in Ukrainian and international reporting, Zelensky said on December 9 that he could authorize elections within 60 to 90 days if the United States and European partners helped provide security.
He also asked lawmakers to draft changes to legislation that currently bars national votes under martial law, a restriction tied to Ukraine’s constitution.
Although Moscow has repeatedly insisted that elections in Ukraine are necessary for any future peace arrangement, the Kremlin brushed aside Zelensky’s declaration, Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.
Kremlin pushes back
According to the thinktank, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on December 10 that officials had not examined Zelensky’s remarks and would “monitor” developments, while noting that President Vladimir Putin has “long discussed” the need for elections in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Zelensky of “cynicism,” claiming that his appeal for Western security assistance meant Ukraine had effectively forfeited its sovereignty.
ISW also noted that ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, previously involved in Russia’s occupation structures, dismissed the election plan as an “arrogant bluff” and a manipulation of election rules, arguing that Kyiv’s cancellation of scheduled May 2024 polls undermines its credibility.
False narratives revived
Miroshnik also echoed Moscow’s long-running narrative questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy, while signaling that Russia would resist any US or European role in safeguarding potential voting.
On the same day, Russian state outlets amplified comments from Viktor Medvedchuk — a former Ukrainian lawmaker aligned closely with Putin — who called for Zelensky’s removal and denounced continuing diplomatic initiatives.
ISW assesses that these reactions align with Putin’s statements on November 27, in which he maintained that Moscow would only sign a peace agreement with a Ukrainian leadership favorable to Russia.
He suggested that even elections would not be sufficient unless Kyiv took further, unspecified political steps.
Peace prospects dim
According to ISW, the rhetoric underscores a familiar pattern: Moscow continues to dismiss any negotiation framework that does not amount to Ukrainian capitulation.
The thinktank even states that the Kremlin is rejecting the legitimacy of any future Ukrainian government, that the Kremlin does not directly control.
For Kyiv and its partners, the Kremlin’s latest signals suggest that even efforts to restore democratic processes will face hostile interpretation from Russia.
Sources: ISW reporting; international media statements attributed to Kremlin officials.
