Zelensky: Elections in Ukraine can be held this year, if the state of war is lifted

2025-01-03 16:14:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky: Elections in Ukraine can be held this year, if the state of war is

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that parliamentary and presidential elections can be held this year, if the talks end the "hot phase" of the war with Russia, making it possible to lift the state of war.

Speaking in an interview broadcast on Ukrainian television on January 2, Zelensky said holding the long-delayed election would depend on what position Ukraine finds itself in after any deal to end the war on troop withdrawal. Russian invaders.

"As for 2025, if we manage to end the hot phase of the war for Ukraine; if we achieve this together with a powerful army, with a large armament package and with strong security guarantees, then they [elections] will be held," Zelensky said. "After that, in principle, we can consider the abolition of the state of war in Ukraine. Once that happens, the ball will be in Parliament's court, which can then set a date for the election. I think there is no need to wait for years for elections when the state of war is lifted", he added.

Zelensky's five-year term ends on May 20, 2024. Zelensky, 46, has not indicated whether he will seek another term as the country's leader.

"If I do more than I can, then maybe he will take this decision more positively. Today, this is not my goal", he emphasized.

Presidential elections were supposed to be held in March or April 2024, but they were postponed because the country is still at war.

According to the Constitution of Ukraine, Zelensky must continue to perform the duties of the president until a new leader of the state is elected.

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

Ukraine has been in a state of war since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. Its implementation has been extended for periods of 90 days a total of 13 times by Parliament.

Lawmakers should amend the law to allow elections to be held during a state of war.

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

While Russia has questioned Zelensky's legitimacy over the election postponement, the European Union has said there is no doubt about his status as Ukraine's leader, while the United Nations has backed him, saying Zelensky "remains... . the person with whom the Secretary General communicates when he needs to contact the Ukrainian leader"./ Rel