Ukraine hasn't held elections since Russia's full-scale invasion. Here's why.

Yahoo! News - Mar 31st, 2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term was due to end in May 2024, is under pressure regarding the legitimacy of his continued leadership due to the ongoing war with Russia. The imposition of martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 has postponed elections, as the Ukrainian constitution and associated laws prohibit holding polls under such conditions. While Russia exploits this situation to paint Zelenskyy as an illegitimate ruler, he maintains that elections can only occur post-ceasefire to ensure fairness and safety. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently echoed Russian narratives by labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator,” though he later denied making such a statement.

Amidst these political tensions, Western allies have expressed a preference for elections, although they understand the logistical and security challenges posed by the conflict. Zelenskyy argues that elections during wartime would only divide the nation and weaken its stance against Russia. The Ukrainian parliament has affirmed his legitimacy, supporting his stance to delay elections until peace is restored. Key political figures like former Army chief Valery Zaluzhny and opposition leader Petro Poroshenko are emerging as significant players in Ukraine's political landscape, with potential implications for the nation's future governance once elections can be feasibly held.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing Ukraine in holding elections during a time of conflict, with a focus on the impact of martial law. It accurately highlights the logistical and legal barriers while discussing international criticisms and the Ukrainian government's stance. The story is timely and of significant public interest, given the ongoing war and its geopolitical implications.

However, the article could improve in areas such as source transparency and balance by providing more explicit attributions and a broader range of perspectives. The inclusion of more direct quotes and diverse viewpoints would enhance its credibility and engagement potential. Despite these areas for improvement, the article effectively communicates the complexities of Ukraine's political situation in a clear and accessible manner.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately discusses the impact of martial law on Ukraine's election schedule, noting that elections have been postponed due to the ongoing conflict and the legal stipulations under Ukrainian law. This aligns with the factual context provided, where martial law prohibits elections during wartime. The story also correctly identifies the logistical challenges of holding elections, such as displaced populations and occupied territories.

However, there are areas needing verification, such as the exact context and wording of Donald Trump's comments about Zelenskyy, which are noted as having been denied by Trump himself. The article's claim about Western officials' private preferences for elections is plausible but requires more specific evidence or citations to fully verify. Overall, the article maintains a high level of factual accuracy, but these areas warrant further investigation.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the situation by discussing both the Ukrainian government's stance on postponing elections and the criticisms from international figures like Donald Trump and Russia. It provides context for Zelenskyy's decision by highlighting the legal and logistical challenges, while also mentioning Western officials' concerns.

However, the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly from Ukrainian citizens or opposition figures who might have differing views on the postponement of elections. While it mentions potential political rivals, it does not delve deeply into their perspectives or criticisms, which would provide a more nuanced view of the political landscape.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative about the postponement of elections in Ukraine due to martial law. It explains complex legal and logistical issues in a straightforward manner, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the intricacies of Ukrainian politics.

The language used is neutral and objective, contributing to a clear understanding of the situation. However, the article could benefit from clearer differentiation between verified facts and areas requiring further verification, which would enhance overall clarity.

6
Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including statements from political figures and general knowledge about Ukrainian law. However, it does not explicitly cite these sources within the text, which would enhance its credibility. The mention of Donald Trump's comments and Western officials' concerns suggests reliance on political statements or possibly diplomatic communications, but these are not directly attributed.

Including more direct quotes, named sources, or references to official documents would improve the source quality by providing readers with a clearer understanding of where the information originates. The lack of explicit source attribution slightly undermines the authority of the claims made.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source attribution and the basis for some claims. While it provides a general overview of the situation, it does not explain the methodology behind gathering information or the specific sources consulted. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the reliability of certain statements, such as the alleged private preferences of Western officials.

Greater transparency would involve disclosing the sources of information, especially for contentious claims, and explaining any potential biases or conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. This would help readers understand the context and reliability of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.voanews.com/a/perspectives-challenges-of-ukraine-s-next-election/7991546.html
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Ukrainian_presidential_election
  3. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukrainians-are-proudly-democratic-but-resoundingly-reject-wartime-elections/
  4. https://ukraine.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/ukraines-presidential-elections-amid-war-political-legal-and-security-challenges
  5. https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2025/01/ukraine-internal-election-struggles?lang=en