Holding elections impossible without a ceasefire—Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo)
Ukraine would be able to hold wartime elections only if there is a ceasefire in effect during the campaign and voting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Dec. 11.
In a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said Kyiv could conceivably amend its legislation to allow for elections under martial law but must first ensure safe conditions for the political process to take place. He said the United States could help secure those conditions by convincing Russia to pause the fighting.
“We are ready to work on this with U.S. president Donald Trump in any format,” Zelenskyy commented on Trump’s recent chastising of Ukraine for not holding elections in wartime.
“If there is a need for elections now, there must be a ceasefire—at least for the election campaign and voting period. That’s what needs to be discussed. Frankly, we here in Ukraine believe the United States should talk with the Russian side about this. We’ll see what happens next.”
On Dec. 10, in an evening address, Zelenskyy said he had discussed the possibility of wartime elections in detail with Ukrainian MPs. He stated that Ukraine must answer every question and dispel every doubt about the legitimacy of its government raised by partners, particularly in Washington.
“If our key partner in Washington speaks so openly and specifically about elections in Ukraine under martial law, we must provide legal answers to every question and concern,” the president said.
“I expect members of parliament to offer their vision. Security challenges depend primarily on our partners, especially the United States; political and legal challenges must be addressed by Ukraine, and they will be.”
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