As Ukraine solemnly marks three years under martial law following Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting political pressure from an unlikely alliance: former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Despite maintaining 50% public approval in recent polls, Zelenskyy confronts intensified claims about his legitimacy from foreign adversaries seeking to reshape Ukraine’s wartime leadership.
Under Ukrainian law, elections remain suspended during martial law – a constitutional safeguard Moscow now exploits.
You can negotiate with anyone, but [Zelenskyy] has no right to sign anything,Putin declared in January, falsely asserting the president’s term expired. Trump amplified this narrative, labeling Zelenskyy a dictator without elections despite contradictory polling data.
The coordinated criticism coincides with Ukraine’s fragile military position:
- Frontline troops face ammunition shortages
- Delayed U.S. aid threatens defensive capabilities
- Russian forces intensify eastern assaults
Kyiv officials warn that wartime elections could destabilize the nation. 96% of Ukrainians trust their military, compared to 26% for civilian institutions, according to February 2025 KIIS data. Holding elections now would gift Putin opportunities for interference,said Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee.
International allies largely reject Moscow’s legitimacy arguments. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz countered, It’s wrong and dangerous to deny Zelenskyy democratic legitimacy. However, Trump’s rhetoric aligns with Kremlin talking points, raising concerns about potential backchannel efforts to install a more compliant Ukrainian leader.
Domestically, Zelenskyy’s approval remains robust but faces emerging challenges:
- 57% public trust rating (KIIS February 2025)
- 27% support for potential rival Valerii Zaluzhnyi
- Sanctions against political opponent Petro Poroshenko
Analysts suggest Trump’s team miscalculates Ukrainian politics. There’s no guarantee a new leader would accept unfavorable peace terms, warned a Kyiv source. With 77% of Ukrainians opposing territorial concessions, any forced leadership change risks fracturing national unity.
As global powers debate Ukraine’s future, Zelenskyy’s government emphasizes battlefield priorities over political theater. 88% of citizens trust military leadership, underscoring the nation’s focus on survival rather than electoral politics. With Western aid delays and Russian advances, Ukraine’s third war year may prove decisive in determining both national sovereignty and democratic continuity.
