There will be no elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, – Zelenskyy
20 December 19:08
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that elections will not be held in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
According to RBC-Ukraine, the head of state said this during a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Kyiv, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Zelenskyy emphasized that it is impossible to ensure a fair and democratic electoral process in the territories not controlled by Ukraine. According to him, Russia traditionally first announces the result it wants, and only then “counts the votes,” which makes it impossible to hold real elections.
“Elections cannot be held in the territories uncontrolled by Ukraine, temporarily occupied. Because it is clear how they will be held – the way Russia always does. It first talks about the result, even of its own internal elections, and only then counts the votes,” Zelenskyy said.
Speaking about the upcoming elections in Ukraine in general, the President noted that two issues remain key: security and legislation. He emphasized that changes to legislation are theoretically possible during the war, but it is the security issue that is decisive and of the utmost priority.
Elections in Ukraine: what is known
US President Donald Trump made a harsh statement about Ukraine, saying that the absence of elections allegedly indicates that the country has lost its democratic status. At the same time, he repeated the theses actively promoted by Russia, which presents the war as a reason for postponing the vote.
At the same time, holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine under martial law is currently virtually impossible due to constant shelling and serious security threats. It is for these reasons that the regular local elections scheduled for October 26 did not take place.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that the state is technically ready for the election process, but its implementation is possible only after the cessation of hostilities or in the presence of real security guarantees. According to him, under such conditions, the organization of elections can take 60 to 90 days.
At the same time, Zelenskyy is waiting for proposals from the Verkhovna Rada to amend the legislation, as the Constitution of Ukraine explicitly prohibits holding elections during martial law.
Meanwhile, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said he would “think” about providing security guarantees for the period of possible voting, while setting conditions for the participation of residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
