Today on the Telegraph’s Ukraine: The Latest podcast,  we bring you the latest updates from the battlefront, discuss the potential endgame for Vladimir Putin and Assistant Comment Editor Francis Dearnley interviews academic Dr Taras Kuzio on his new paper arguing how the West and Ukraine can defeat Russia. 

 Francis Dearnley explains the issues facing President Zelensky when it comes to potentially going to the polls: 

Were it not for the war it would be scheduled for 31 March 2024 according to the constitution, which mandates elections be held on the last Sunday of March of the fifth year of the incumbent president’s term of office.

The conflict has changed all that: elections cannot currently be held in Ukraine under martial law, which must be extended every 90 days and is next due to expire on November 15, after the normal date in October for parliamentary polls but before presidential elections.

Nevertheless, there are voices both within Ukraine and from outside saying that it is important for there to be a presidential election at some point in the coming year. That’s not because they want Zelensky out, but because they think it will sure up his political position were he to win, securing a further mandate domestically and silencing critics. It would also, they argue, signal to the world that Ukraine is committed to victory.

But it comes with risks – and I don’t just mean for Zelensky’s political power. For one, can one safely run a fair election when a country is still under bombardment? Does it risk civilian lives, especially if the Russians tried to disrupt it? Does it distract at a time when matters are delicate on the world stage, and Kyiv’s priority is persuading its ally to do more? These are all relevant questions.

Reuters is reporting that President Zelensky is weighing up whether to hold presidential elections next spring, citing the country’s foreign minister. Not necessarily a revelation, but typically when these things go public then said conversations are at quite an advanced stage. Mr Zelensky has previously said that voting could take place during wartime if partners shared the cost, legislators approved, and everyone got to the polls. That last stipulation may cause problems, because not everyone will be in places deemed safe.

Giving listeners some historical context, Francis continues: 

Now I’ve offered historical examples of countries running presidential elections whilst at war in the past – most famously in 1864 when Lincoln won re-election against his former general McClennan, thus dooming the ‘peace now’ movement. But Lincoln won that re-election following the decisive military victories of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, and the likelihood of such any major successes in the coming months are slim. There was a time when it looked like Lincoln would lose that election, despite his popularity. Churchill would lose in 1945, although that was a different scenario: the war was effectively already over by then.

Perhaps the best historical comparison, therefore, is the Korean election of 1952 – fought in the midst of the Korean War. That war, for one, has deeper parallels than the American Civil War and World War II. The impact of that election was that it legitimised the government of South Korea, which had been established under the presidency of Syngman Rhee. Internationally, it was recognised, and his leadership was secured at home; it mandated the continuation of the war. But – crucially – South Korea needed to prove each of those things: its legitimacy, its political leaders, its international mandate. Does Ukraine? One could argue that all of those things are already secure: why risk it?

Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraph’s daily podcast, using the audio player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

War in Ukraine is reshaping our world. Every weekday The Telegraph’s top journalists analyse the invasion from all angles - military, humanitarian, political, economic, historical - and tell you what you need to know to stay updated.

With over 55 million downloads, our Ukraine: The Latest podcast is your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. We have been broadcasting ever since the full-scale invasion began.

Ukraine: The Latest’s regular contributors are:

David Knowles

David is Head of Audio Development at The Telegraph, where he has worked for nearly three years. He has reported from across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. 

Dominic Nicholls

Dom is Associate Editor (Defence) at The Telegraph, having joined in 2018. He previously served for 23 years in the British Army, in tank and helicopter units. He had operational deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. 

Francis Dearnley

Francis is assistant comment editor at The Telegraph. Prior to working as a journalist, he was chief of staff to the Chair of the Prime Minister’s Policy Board at the Houses of Parliament in London. He studied History at Cambridge University and on the podcast explores how the past shines a light on the latest diplomatic, political, and strategic developments.

They are also regularly joined by The Telegraph’s foreign correspondents around the world, including Joe Barnes (Brussels), Sophia Yan (China), Nataliya Vasilyeva (Russia), Roland Oliphant (Senior Reporter) and Colin Freeman (Reporter).