Zelenskyy made the remarks while speaking with journalists, NV reported, Dec. 18.
“The United States raised the issue of presidential elections, and I said that I would be ready for such elections,” Zelenskyy said. “Elections to parliament and local councils were not discussed.”
The president added that since the COVID-19 pandemic he has supported the idea of online voting in Ukraine. Implementing such a system would require legislative changes, but there is currently no consensus among lawmakers on the issue, he said.
The debate over elections during wartime intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to hold presidential elections in an interview with Politico, Dec. 9. Trump suggested that Zelenskyy could still win a new vote.
“I think Ukraine should hold elections,” Trump said. “They are using the war as a reason not to hold elections, but I think the Ukrainian people should have that choice.”
Zelenskyy responded by saying he is prepared to organize elections during the war but stressed that key issues remain unresolved, including security conditions, voting arrangements for active-duty military personnel, and the legal framework needed to ensure the legitimacy of the vote.
The president said he discussed the issue with members of parliament, Dec. 10.
According to NV, no draft legislation on holding elections during wartime has yet been registered in parliament. Lawmakers are preparing to establish a working group to develop a relevant bill, which media reports say will be led by First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko.