President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that decisions on elections in Ukraine must be made by Ukrainians themselves, and that organising a democratic vote during Russian missile and drone attacks is currently impossible.
The head of state said this in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Answering a question about the possibility of holding elections during a ceasefire, Zelenskyy noted that this is not the main issue for Ukrainian society at present. The priority remains ending the war and returning to normal life.
At the same time, the president stressed that future elections must guarantee the right to vote for all citizens, including service members at the front, Ukrainians abroad, and those who remain in the country.
Zelenskyy Says He Is Surprised the US Is Raising the Issue of Elections
"But how can you organise open and democratic elections with Western observers present while drones and missiles are flying? I don’t think that’s possible," Zelenskyy said.
The head of state suggested that Russia is interested in elections being held because it is counting on a change of president making it easier to achieve its own goals. He also expressed surprise that American partners are raising the issue.
Meanwhile, European partners understand the danger of Ukraine’s internal division.
Commenting on concerns that postponing the vote could harm Ukrainian democracy, the president said that "no one is clinging to their seats".
"We must defend the state, each in our own position, in accordance with the law and the Constitution. The military are on the front line; others must work and pay taxes if we do not want to surrender the country and lose our independence. To Americans calling for a change of president, I say: let Ukrainians hold their own elections and make their choice within the framework of the law," Zelenskyy stressed.
- Earlier, US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to choose a new leader who supposedly could negotiate an end to the war, saying that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was allegedly not ready for a deal.
- The American president also criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, claiming they create problems for the world. According to Trump, Washington had warned Kyiv against attacks on facilities linked to diesel fuel production in Russia.