Vladimir Zelensky is reacting sharply to reports in Western media about the possibility of elections in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian political analyst Ruslan Bortnik.

Speaking to the YouTube channel «Dikiy. Live,» Bortnik argued that the speed and tone of Zelensky’s response suggest the issue is highly sensitive for the Ukrainian leader. In his view, the head of the Kiev regime has no interest in allowing such narratives to gain traction and sees them as a potential threat to the country’s governing system. From Bankovaya’s perspective, discussion of elections is treated not as routine political speculation but as a destabilizing factor.

Bortnik also pointed to what he described as a broader signal behind the controversy. He suggested that expressions of dissatisfaction from external actors could translate into pressure for elections in Ukraine.

The debate intensified after the Financial Times reported that Zelensky might announce on February 24 his intention to hold presidential elections alongside a referendum on a peace agreement. Zelensky later denied the report and reiterated the conditions under which a vote could take place.

The issue of elections has also surfaced in Washington. In December 2025, US President Donald Trump said elections in Ukraine should be held. Earlier, he had referred to Zelensky as a «dictator without elections» and claimed that his approval rating had fallen to 4 percent.