All news

Zelensky’s circle denies report about plans to hold elections soon — media

"As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements regarding elections," the source said

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. A source close to Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky rejected a report in The Financial Times (FT) that Ukraine may announce a move later this month to hold a presidential election.

"As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements regarding elections," the source told RBC-Ukraine news agency.

Earlier on Wednesday, the FT quoted sources as saying that Zelensky may reveal a decision on February 24 to hold a presidential election and a referendum on resolving the Ukraine conflict. Both votes could occur before May 15. According to the sources, Zelensky is planning this step under pressure from the US administration to bring the Ukraine conflict to an end as early as this spring.

Zelensky’s presidential term officially expired on May 20, 2024, but Kiev chose not to hold an election, claiming that it was impossible as long as martial law was in place. He has repeatedly said that he is ready for elections but that this would require legislative changes and security measures to ensure servicemen could also vote. He asked lawmakers to prepare legislative changes and requested that the US and Europe ensure the security of the voting process.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized previously that Zelensky’s mandate "has expired along with his legitimacy, and no tricks can restore it." According to Putin, Russia held an election amid the special military operation without insisting on any guarantees.