The Kremlin is unwilling to alter the terms for ending the war, according to ISW.

The Kremlin is unwilling to change the conditions for ending the war, according to ISW

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) point out that Russian authorities are deliberately distorting Ukrainian legislation and the Constitution regarding elections under martial law, and they have no intention of altering the conditions for ending the war, which have remained unchanged since 2021.

This was reported by ISW.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that the Ukrainian Constitution and legislation prohibit the country from holding presidential and parliamentary elections during martial law.

Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian government would consider the possibility of lifting martial law once the "hot phase" of the war concludes and when Ukraine occupies a "strong position" with a "strong army, a robust arsenal, and security guarantees."

Analysts remind us that the Ukrainian law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law," adopted in 2000, stipulates that the Ukrainian government can terminate martial law "provided that the threat of attack or danger to the state independence of Ukraine and its territorial integrity is eliminated."

"Kremlin officials, including Putin, have repeatedly used intentional misinterpretation of Ukrainian legislation and the Constitution to assert that Zelensky is the illegitimate president of Ukraine after the country did not hold elections under martial law in 2024, in accordance with the law and Constitution," the report states.

The report adds that the Ukrainian government cannot legally lift martial law while Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

Experts note that Zelensky outlined the conditions that must be met to compel Russia to agree to a "just peace."

Among other things, he stated that Ukraine cannot achieve a just peace with a small army, with "40,000 or 50,000 soldiers," referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin's initial demand during the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul in the spring of 2022 for Ukraine to demilitarize and maintain forces numbering approximately 50,000.

"Putin and other Kremlin officials have repeatedly put forth conditions for ending the war that equate to the complete capitulation of Ukraine, including the removal of legitimate Ukrainian authority and the demilitarization of Ukraine. These demands have not changed since 2021," the institute summarized.

Key findings from ISW as of January 3:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined the conditions that must be fulfilled to push Russia towards a "just peace."
• Ukrainian officials continue to signal that Ukraine is working to further enhance its drone and missile capabilities in support of this goal.
• Zelensky confirmed on January 2 that the Ukrainian Constitution and legislation prohibit the country from conducting presidential and parliamentary elections during martial law.
• The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine reported that several Russian ships will soon arrive at the port of Tartus in Syria to evacuate Russian military assets to Libya.
• Recently, Russian troops advanced near Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Ugledar.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense continues to support its official program for coordinating reconnaissance and strike units, "Glaz/Groza," despite Russian soldiers relying on other special communication systems.