The election is to be held after a complete ceasefire has come into force, according to the newspaper's sources within the government in Kyiv.
Zelensky's mandate formally expired in May last year, but since martial law prevails in Ukraine, the constitution does not allow for new elections. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelensky for this - including in February, when he called the Ukrainian president "a dictator who doesn't hold elections". Even Russia's President Vladimir Putin has urged for elections in Ukraine, according to observers, with the hope of getting a "puppet leader" elected in Kyiv.
According to The Economist's sources, a presidential election in Ukraine may take place as early as July. First, a ceasefire must be in place and martial law must be abolished. Then, the law requires a campaign period of at least 60 days.
An election is expected to be a logistical challenge. Millions of voters have fled Ukraine and are in other countries. Thousands more are in trenches or in regions occupied by Russia.
