Putin accused the Ukrainian authorities of a "dictatorship" and refusal to hold elections
Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again made accusations against the Ukrainian leadership, claiming that the Ukrainian authorities have allegedly "usurped" power and are deliberately not holding elections in order to remain in charge of the country.
Putin made these statements on September 18 during a meeting of the Russian Military-Industrial Commission.
According to him, the Ukrainian government has allegedly fallen into the hands of a "clutch of embezzlers and corrupt officials" who need the ongoing war in order to avoid holding elections. He also stated that Ukraine's political system has allegedly "degenerated into a dictatorship." This is the Russian president's assessment, not an established fact.
Putin also claimed that Kyiv speaks of interest in peace and negotiations, but by its actions allegedly tries to prevent their resumption. In addition, the Russian president accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the ongoing elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
"The Ukrainian elite is in no hurry to hold elections, as is known, but they also try to hinder us," — Putin said.
Why elections are not currently held in Ukraine
Putin's statements that the Ukrainian authorities simply "do not want" to hold elections do not take into account the current Ukrainian legislation. Martial law continues in Ukraine, introduced after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Article 19 of the law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" directly prohibits holding elections for the president, the Verkhovna Rada, and local self-government bodies during its duration. The Central Election Commission also notes that since February 24, 2022, elections have not been scheduled precisely because of martial law and the impossibility of ensuring key conditions for safe voting.
In January 2026, the CEC prepared proposals for organizing nationwide elections after the cessation or cancellation of martial law. Among other things, it is proposed to provide for a transition period for preparing the vote, the participation of military personnel, citizens abroad, and voters from temporarily occupied territories.
Russia itself holds elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine
In Russia, from September 18 to 20, elections of deputies to the State Duma and a number of regional campaigns are taking place. Voting is organized, among other places, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that such voting violates international law and cannot change the status of the occupied territories. Kyiv called on other states and international organizations not to recognize its results.
The current elections in Russia are taking place amid serious restrictions on political competition. In particular, the only party that opposed the war was not allowed to participate in the elections, and independent international observation of the voting is limited.
Based on materials from: "Smotri", Central Election Commission of Ukraine
