Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is preparing infrastructure to hold elections
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that holding elections in Ukraine depends on two factors: security and legislation.
Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, broadcast by Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster
Quote: "It's not for Putin to decide when elections in Ukraine take place and in what format. He's certainly not a citizen of Ukraine and he'll certainly not influence the result or anything else.
There is, of course, a well-established practice for voting abroad. In today's situation, the process will be more complicated because of the number of Ukrainians, but this is a task for the Foreign Ministry, which has already started working on it. They're engaging with our partners abroad and we need to agree on possible infrastructure overseas so that voting is comfortable.
In any case, I believe that when elections happen, that is when the security situation allows, a large number of Ukrainians will come to Ukraine."
Details: Zelenskyy said that elections cannot be held in temporarily occupied territories because it is clear how they would be conducted.
Quote: "As Russia always says, it first announces the result of its internal elections and then counts the votes."
More details: Zelenskyy emphasised that it is essential for military personnel to be able to vote, just like any other citizen.
Quote: "Our American partners have raised the issue of elections, which means they know how to help us hold safe elections: that could first of all be a ceasefire or the end of the war."
Background:
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia is willing to "consider ensuring security if elections were held in Ukraine".
- 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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