EU comments on Trump's demand for Ukraine to hold presidential elections
Photo: Anitta Hipper Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (video screenshot)
Presidential elections in Ukraine can only take place when circumstances allow it, as Russia's aggressive war is still ongoing, said Anitta Hipper, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during a briefing.
Hipper was asked to comment on US President Donald Trump's view that Ukraine should supposedly hold presidential elections despite the war.
In response, the Commission’s spokesperson stressed that these are exceptional times.
"Russia is in a war of aggression with Ukraine. President Zelenskyy is a democratically elected leader, and any election should take place when the conditions are permitting to do so," Hipper added.
What Trump said
Earlier, US President Donald Trump told Politico that he believes the Ukrainian authorities are using the war as an excuse not to hold elections.
In his view, Ukraine is no longer a democracy because elections have not been held for a long time.
He also suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy could win if elections were held.
Russia has long been demanding that Ukraine conduct elections. In particular, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed introducing "temporary governance in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN" to organize the elections.
According to the Kremlin leader, only after such a process would Moscow agree to discuss the possibility of a peace deal with Kyiv.
Putin has also insisted that signing a peace agreement with Ukraine's current leadership would be legally invalid, as he claims President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is illegitimate.
