Russia seeks to involve Ukrainians in Russia and occupied areas in Ukraine votes – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russian authorities have been preparing to ensure Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories and in Russia can take part in Ukrainian elections or a referendum.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online interview with journalists

Quote: "It is important that observers are present everywhere…

…This morning I received a briefing from the Foreign Intelligence Service [of Ukraine]. Russia has already set the task of doing everything so that Ukrainians who are on the territory of Russia can vote as well as those Ukrainians who are in territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia.

Why are they doing this? The task is clear: to keep raising the issue that a large number of people live there and they have the right to vote, so that afterwards Russia can say it does not recognise these elections.

As you can see, Russia does not care how it gets across the message about the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities. I always say this. Russia itself is illegitimate and so it will produce corresponding messages about the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities."

Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists on 23 December that Ukraine would submit a 20-point peace agreement either for ratification by parliament or to a nationwide referendum, and may also decide to hold elections in the country at the same time as the referendum.

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