Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been labeled an "unelected dictator," and rivals for his job are already circling the position, with elections expected later this year, writes the English service of Radio Free Europe (RFE).
The statement by United States President Donald Trump hit Zelensky on a sensitive spot.
The presidential elections in Ukraine were scheduled to be held in March or April 2024.
But they didn't - because of the Russian invasion.
Ukraine's constitution prohibits elections during a state of war, which Kiev imposed just a day after the Kremlin launched its all-out war in February 2022.
There are also major security problems.
Crowded polling stations would be a tempting target for the Russian military, which has frequently targeted civilian targets, including schools, hospitals and residential buildings.
RFE/RL's Ukrainian service reports that people in Kiev oppose the idea, in a poll it conducted on February 20.
"We have a territory under Russian occupation where people will not be able to vote and will not be able to choose for themselves," one woman said.
"Who can campaign in times of war?" asks another Ukrainian.
On the same day, around 130 Ukrainian civic groups issued a joint statement stating that holding elections under the current circumstances was impossible.
"Only after the war ends and a stable peace is achieved... will it be possible to organize elections - free, fair, democratic and in which everyone will be able to vote," they said.
Despite this, the presidential candidates seem to be taking their first cautious steps. There is an expectation in the air that some kind of ceasefire or peace agreement will be reached this year, making elections possible in a few months.
Former President Petro Poroshenko even announced a date, October 26, which he says was revealed by "insiders" in the cabinet of current President Volodymyr Zelensky and which would coincide with another election.
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"According to the constitution, parliamentary elections should be held at the end of the year. Although they should have been held two years ago. And at the end of October we were supposed to have local elections," Poroshenko said.
Zelensky's party has denied any plans to hold the election on October 26. The president has said the vote could be held this year if martial law is lifted - something that would be possible if an agreement is reached to stop the fighting.
Pro-Russian leaders have also become active.
Yuriy Boyko, who came fourth in the 2019 election, launched a TikTok campaign in December that echoed themes coming from the Kremlin, prompting him to be summoned for questioning by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Sergei Lagondinsky, a member of the European Parliament from the German Green Party who grew up in Russia during the Soviet era, recently wrote that "Putin hates Zelensky because he ruined his plans to conquer Ukraine. And he dreams of getting a pro-Russian candidate, after a grueling war."
But many analysts believe the election of a pro-Kremlin puppet has little chance, after three years of war in which Russian forces have killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
Still, when the election comes, it could be brutal.
"Everyone will accuse each other of being guilty of starting a full-scale Russian invasion," says Oleh Sakyan, co-founder of the civic group National Platform for Resilience and Cohesion.
Speaking to "Current Time," he predicted a battle of "veteran against veteran, soldier against soldier."
"The presidency is currently an electric chair," Sakjan added.
Zelensky's most popular potential challenger has not made any public moves. In fact, he hasn't even said he wants to run.
However, it is widely believed that former army commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny is waiting to "spread his wings" from his current position as Ukrainian ambassador to London.
Public opinion researchers are already conducting polls, according to which Zaluzhny is the best challenger.
But a lot can happen between now and any future voting day.
Much will depend on what diplomatic agreement is reached to silence the guns, if any.
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