Zelensky: Elections in Ukraine could be held this year if war conditions are lifted

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said parliamentary and presidential elections could be held this year if the talks put an end to the hot <x0fasis” of the war with Russia, enabling the state of war to be lifted.

Speaking in an interview aired on Ukrainian television on January 2nd, Zelensky said holding long-pressed elections would depend on the position in which Ukraine would find itself after an agreement on the outcome of the fight to repel Russian invading troops.

“As far as 2025 is concerned, if we manage to end the heated phase of the war for Ukraine; if we achieve this together with a powerful army, with a large package of weapons and solid security guarantees, then they [the elections] will be held”, Zelensky said.

After that, in principle, we can think about abolishing the state of war in Ukraine. Once that happens, the ball will be in the field of Parliament, which can then set a date for election. I think there is no need to wait for years [for elections] when the situation of war is lifted”, he added.

Zelensky's five-year term ended on May 20, 2024.

Zelensky, 46, did not show whether he will seek any other mandate as the country's leader.

If I do more than I can, then maybe I'll make this decision more positive. Today, this is not my target”, he stressed.

Presidential elections were to be held in March or April 2024, but were postponed because the country is still in a state of war.

Under the Ukrainian Constitution, Zelensky must continue to carry out the president's duties until the new head of state is elected.

Parliamentary elections were due to be held on October 29, 2023, but they too were postponed because of the implementation of the war situation.

Ukraine is in a state of war since Russia began its conquest in February 2022. Its implementation has been extended for the 90-day period of 13 times by Parliament.

Lawmakers must change the law to enable elections during the war situation.

Many analysts and politicians have raised concerns about security, voter shift and infrastructure as the main obstacle to holding legitimate elections in Ukraine under current circumstances.

While Russia has questioned Zelensky's legitimacy due to the postponement of the elections, the European Union has declared that there is no doubt about his status as leader of Ukraine, while the United Nations has backed him up by saying Zelensky <x0); the person with whom the secretary general communicates when it needs to contact Ukrainian leader”. / REL/