Zelenskyy undecided on post-war election bid but ready to run if ceasefire is in place

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to hold elections if security can be guaranteed and has not ruled out taking part if they are held during the war, but has not decided whether he would run once peace is achieved.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Zelenskyy's interview with the German public broadcasting association ARD

Details: According to Zelenskyy, he is ready to hold elections if the necessary security conditions are ensured and a ceasefire is in place.

Quote: "To everyone who raises the issue of elections, I say: look, I am ready immediately. Help us ensure security for holding elections, and provide us with a ceasefire for this period.

What will Trump say to this? So far, the Americans have not been able to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Russians."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that the issue of elections is an internal matter for Ukraine and should be decided by the Ukrainian people, not by other countries.

He also noted that the parliament and society currently do not support holding elections, but this could change if a ceasefire is established.

Meanwhile, the president said his decision to run would depend on the situation in the country.

Quote: "If the country is at war, that is one situation. Then – yes. But if there is peace, I don't know. It is not a 'yes', but it is not a 'no' either."

Details: Zelenskyy added that he was elected for a single presidential term and remains within it, with its extension linked to the war rather than his own decision.

"For us, it is important that the war ends and that we can be sure it has truly ended. Today, it could happen that only a ceasefire is agreed. This could happen without our desire.

There may be guarantees without certainty that Russia will not invade again… But if there is only a ceasefire for the duration of the elections so that the Russians can prepare – if they manage to get me out of their way by one means or another, because there are different possibilities… They have tried. And they have not abandoned this intention," Zelenskyy explained.

Background:

• On 15 February, in an interview with Politico, Zelenskyy said that 90% of Ukrainians do not support holding elections during the war.
• On 17 February, he stated that Russia had agreed only to a one-day ceasefire for elections, although at least 60 days would be required.
• A Verkhovna Rada working group preparing legislation for post-war elections has also stressed that polling stations cannot be set up in occupied territories or in Russia and Belarus.

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