The president noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he proposed online parliamentary work to lawmakers. There was allegedly a technological chance to try certain changes then.
"In my view, if we had done this then, there would be no question today about elections during war," Zelenskyy stated.
“If we had made legislative changes during COVID, everyone would understand whether it works or not. During COVID, we could have tried this — the risks were not so high.”
But it is hard to say now in what format elections should be held, he added.
"Probably, the online format would help people abroad, but the priority is for the military," the president said. “If we were talking about elections during war, obviously people on the front who have no chance to vote in the usual format... Probably online would work.”
However, there are currently no corresponding legislative changes. According to Zelenskyy, he tasked lawmakers with developing options for holding elections in different scenarios — during war, during a ceasefire, under closed skies. The president said he has not yet received a response from parliamentarians.
Earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said online voting through the Diia state services app would be possible only after necessary legislative changes.
On Jan. 3, Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia said the Verkhovna Rada will prepare a bill text on elections during war by late February.
Elections in Ukraine during war
On Dec. 18, 2025, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready for presidential elections in response to a U.S. request. At the same time, the issue of parliamentary and local elections has not yet been raised.
On Dec. 22, MP Arakhamia said the Verkhovna Rada is forming a working group to "quickly process the issue" of possible presidential elections under martial law.
On Dec. 23, Ukraine's parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk approved creating the working group, led by first deputy speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko. Arakhamia later said the Central Election Commission resumed work on the State Voter Register, which may indicate gradual preparations for elections.
On Dec. 23, Zelenskyy said Ukraine could hold a referendum on the 20-point peace agreement simultaneously with elections. He added the agreement could also be submitted to parliament, with security guarantees taking effect only after ratification or public approval.
On Dec. 26, the working group's first meeting took place, beginning work on a bill to define the procedure for holding elections during war.