Zelenskyy on Putin's statement on elections in Ukraine: "We will not agree to be controlled by anyone"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated during his visit to Poland that Ukraine will not allow Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to control potential elections.
Source: Zelenskyy's interview with Polish news agency PAP
Details: Zelenskyy commented on Putin's 19 December speech, noting: "There are many Putins".
Quote: "One talks to the Americans, another gives speeches, and a third does something else."
Zelenskyy emphasised that Putin had spoken about the supposed importance of citizens from all over Ukraine, including those in the temporarily occupied territories, participating in elections – territories that Putin himself calls "occupied". Zelenskyy believes Putin's aim is to control Ukraine's electoral processes.
Quote from Zelenskyy: "We will not agree to be controlled by anyone."
When asked by journalists what Putin means by the "root causes" of the war, Zelenskyy responded that the Russian leader "is not looking for the root cause of the war but for an excuse".
Quote from Zelenskyy: "Tomorrow, he could say it's because of NATO, even though Ukraine has never been in NATO. Then he could claim that even the invitation to join NATO is a risk for Russia. Now he talks about buffer zones. He says that this is very far away. For this person, anything can serve as a justification for demonstrating and expressing his aggression. He is looking for excuses in front of his own people."
Background:
- Putin claimed that Russia is allegedly ready to "consider ensuring security during elections" in Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of holding presidential elections in wartime Ukraine with representatives of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) on 10 December and is now waiting for MPs to "present their perspective".
- US President Donald Trump believes that "it's time" for Ukraine to hold presidential elections.
- Zelenskyy responded that he is "always ready".
- He also said that Ukraine's international partners would need to ensure security during the elections. Zelenskyy himself is willing to make changes to the legislation on elections during martial law.
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