Zelensky names the main condition for holding elections: details
12 December 07:11
The presidential election in Ukraine, which White House President Donald Trump insists on, can be held under wartime conditions, but under the condition of a ceasefire at least for the period of the election process and voting. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“We are ready to work with President Trump in any format. And if President Trump talks more about elections in Ukraine – I want to say this absolutely openly – we can try to hold elections. Ukraine is not hiding from democracy,” Zelenskyy said at a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” via video conference.
According to him, the elections need to be secured, and “America can help the most”.
“If there is a need to hold elections, then we need a ceasefire at least for the duration of the election process and voting. And this is what needs to be discussed. And, frankly speaking, we here in Ukraine believe that America should talk to the Russian side about this,” the Ukrainian president added.
Earlier, he said that if security is provided, elections could be held in the next 60-90 days.
Trump: Now is an important time to hold elections in Ukraine
In early December, Donald Trump reiterated that presidential elections should be held in Ukraine.
“Yes, I think it’s time. I think it’s an important time to hold elections. They’re using the war to avoid holding elections, but I think the Ukrainian people should have that choice,” Trump said.
He did not rule out the possibility that Zelenskyy could win again.
Trump also called for elections in Ukraine in February. But back then, he called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and claimed that his approval rating was 4%. The US president did not provide any evidence for these words.
Elections in Ukraine under martial law are prohibited by the country’s laws
The next presidential elections in Ukraine were scheduled to take place in 2024, but due to martial law imposed in the country since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, they were postponed. On this basis, the Russian authorities have repeatedly claimed that Zelenskyy is illegitimate as head of state.
Meanwhile, under martial law, elections to the Verkhovna Rada are prohibited by the Constitution, and presidential elections are prohibited by separate laws, which, unlike the Constitution, can be changed “from a formal legal point of view.” This requires the votes of a majority of MPs and a subsequent presidential decree.
