當地時間12月9日，烏克蘭總統澤連斯基釋放兩個具有重大外交與內政意義的信號，引起國際輿論高度關注。首先，他回應美方的呼籲，公開表態「願意舉行選舉」，這是自俄烏衝突爆發以來，澤連斯基首次在公開立場上出現重大轉變。此前，他一直堅持「只有在衝突結束後才會舉行選舉」，此番表態打破長期以來的戰後選舉立場。其次，他透露即將向美國提交經修訂的「和平計劃」，以推動衝突的解決，顯示烏方在外交上正尋求更多國際支持與調解空間。

此次表態發生之際，美國政府不僅公開施壓烏方儘快舉行選舉，還被曝試圖推動烏軍從頓巴斯地區撤出。與此同時，俄軍則以自衝突以來最快的速度在多線戰場推進，令俄烏局勢在外交、內政與軍事多個維度陷入激烈博弈。白宮的耐心似乎已接近耗盡，美國前總統特朗普於12月9日公開表示，烏克蘭應當舉行選舉。他指出，烏克蘭政府以戰爭為藉口推遲選舉，但烏克蘭人民應該擁有選擇的權利。此前一天，川普還曾表明，美國不會再向烏克蘭提供額外資金支援，能提供的只有調解的時間窗口。

面對來自美方的壓力，澤連斯基當天表示，烏克蘭已準備好舉行選舉，並呼籲美國及歐洲協助保障選舉安全，稱選舉準備工作可在60至90天內完成。此番表態不僅突破了烏克蘭此前「戰後再選」的立場，也引發對國內政治安排的關注。根據澤連斯基簽署的總統令，烏克蘭的國家戰時狀態已延長至2026年2月3日，而依據烏克蘭憲法，選舉通常需要在戰時狀態結束後進行。此外，澤連斯基曾於今年9月表示，他不排除在衝突結束後不再尋求連任，這也為未來烏克蘭政治格局增添不確定性。

綜合來看，澤連斯基此次表態在外交上向美國及歐洲釋出讓步信號，同時在內政上對國民及國際社會傳遞準備舉行選舉的訊息，但俄烏前線局勢仍極為緊張，短期內衝突走向及政治安排仍充滿變數。

On December 9 local time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued two major signals with significant implications for both diplomacy and domestic politics, attracting intense international attention. First, he responded to U.S. calls by publicly stating that Ukraine is “willing to hold elections,” marking the first major shift in his publicly declared stance since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Previously, Zelensky had consistently insisted that “elections would only take place after the conflict ends,” making this statement a notable departure from his long-standing postwar election position. Second, he revealed that he would soon submit a revised “peace plan” to the United States in an effort to advance conflict resolution, signaling Ukraine’s search for greater international support and mediation.

The timing of this announcement coincides with increased U.S. pressure on Ukraine to hold elections and reports that Washington is attempting to push Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the Donbas region. At the same time, Russian troops are advancing across multiple fronts at the fastest pace since the conflict began, placing the Russia-Ukraine situation into an intense multidimensional struggle encompassing diplomacy, domestic governance, and military operations. The patience of the White House appears to be running thin. Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated on December 9 that Ukraine should hold elections, noting that the government had been using the war as an excuse to delay them, but the Ukrainian people should have the right to choose. The day before, Trump had also indicated that the U.S. would no longer provide additional financial support to Ukraine and could only offer time for mediation.

In response to U.S. pressure, Zelensky stated on the same day that Ukraine is prepared to hold elections and requested assistance from the United States and Europe to ensure election security. He noted that preparations could be completed within 60 to 90 days. This statement breaks from Ukraine’s previous “postwar elections only” stance and has drawn attention to the country’s domestic political arrangements. According to Zelensky’s presidential decree, Ukraine’s state of wartime emergency has been extended until February 3, 2026, while under the Ukrainian constitution, elections are typically required to be held after the end of wartime conditions. Furthermore, Zelensky had stated in September that he might not seek re-election once the conflict concludes, adding uncertainty to Ukraine’s future political landscape.

Overall, Zelensky’s announcement signals a diplomatic concession to the United States and Europe while conveying to both the public and the international community that Ukraine is prepared to hold elections. However, the situation on the front lines remains tense, and the short-term trajectory of the conflict and domestic political arrangements remains highly uncertain.