President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that security is a decisive factor for organizing any voting in Ukraine, including presidential elections or referendums. He stressed that such events can only take place if there are appropriate legislative conditions and security guarantees for citizens.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Security as a Key Prerequisite
Zelensky noted that the initiative for holding elections came from the American side. According to the president, he has repeatedly highlighted the need to create legislative opportunities for organizing elections; however, the primary concern remains the security of the process. Only after ensuring the protection of voters and polling stations can discussions about changing legislative norms related to timelines or other aspects of voting, especially in wartime, take place.
“The activation of the election issue came from the American side. There were such signals. I have said this many times: I believe that there must be legislative opportunities for holding elections, and most importantly – security for conducting elections. If we are talking about a referendum – the same applies, security is needed. There are legislative initiatives, they can be changed – regarding the war, regarding timelines, etc. That is a secondary issue. Although it is important. But the first is security,” the head of state emphasized.
Discussions on Elections and International Statements
The president underscored that there are issues whose decisions cannot be made unilaterally, even by the president, and the final word belongs to the Ukrainian people. The 20-point plan for resolving the situation in Ukraine considers the possibility of a referendum if questions arise that society must answer.
Zelensky had previously stated that Ukraine could bring a peace agreement to parliamentary ratification or a nationwide referendum. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump insists on the necessity of holding presidential elections in Ukraine, claiming that the current authorities are using the war as a pretext to postpone them. In response to these statements, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized readiness for elections and called on the U.S. to assist in guaranteeing security for their organization.
Previously, Trump had repeatedly insisted on holding elections in Ukraine and referred to President Zelensky as a “dictator,” but later refrained from such statements. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other representatives of the Russian Federation, in turn, claimed that the Ukrainian authorities are allegedly illegitimate due to the absence of elections in 2024. They also emphasized that the appointment of regional officials by the president supposedly contradicts the legitimacy of government bodies.
On December 19, at a press conference in Moscow, Putin stated that Russia is “ready to consider” guaranteeing security in the event of elections in Ukraine, specifically mentioning a possible restraint from strikes on the country’s territory on election day. He also emphasized that he does not intend to cease fire, reminding that Russia held elections during the war without establishing a truce.
Martial law has been in effect in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, which legally prohibits holding any elections during the special legal regime.