Zelenskyy says Ukraine could hold elections this winter if Russia agrees to ceasefire
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could hold elections in the winter. But the US would need to secure a ceasefire from Russia, according to Zelenskyy's interview with ZDF.
During the interview, a journalist asked the president whether, given the complexity of the voting situation (with some people abroad and others on the front lines), this meant that election in Ukraine would only take place after the war.
Zelenskyy said that this was indeed how the Ukrainian side viewed the situation. But Kyiv had made proposals to Washington outlining conditions under which elections could be held as early as this winter.
"Yes, that is exactly how we see it. But we have made proposals. I told the Americans that you could reach an agreement with the Russians on a ceasefire for the winter period, and then people would have electricity and water. At the same time, we would also be able to hold elections," Zelenskyy said.
What else Zelenskyy said
In the same interview, Zelenskyy said holding elections in Ukraine was difficult because many citizens would be unable to vote.
These include military personnel stationed in the trenches. The president stressed that the military should be the first to elect the head of state, as they have preserved and continue to defend the country's independence. Therefore, holding elections without them would be unfair.
Zelenskyy said the authorities could consider holding elections in Ukraine online. In that case, the Verkhovna Rada would have to seek and find a solution to make it possible.
In August, Verkhovna Rada speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said that parliament was working on a law allowing elections to be held in Ukraine during wartime. Still, holding them at this point remains impossible.
