Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the #UkraineNato33 concert for Ukraine in Lukiskes Square during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyspoke out this Monday the 6th for the first time openly against the possibility of holding elections in the country next year while the war with the Russia. “I believe that now is not the time to hold elections,” said Zelensky, whose term ends on March 31, 2024. The Ukrainian president called in a speech to the nation to “avoid everything that is politically divisive and focus on defending the country and in the battle that will decide the fate of the people.” Zelensky demanded , to avoid pessimism and internal conflicts and warned that this was only in Russia’s interests. “And if it is necessary to put an end to this or the political dispute and continue to work exclusively in unity, then the state has structures capable of putting an end to it and providing society with all the necessary answers “So that there is no longer any room for conflicts and games played by others against Ukraine,” he said. Zelensky’s comments came days after his former adviser Oleksiy Arestovich called for the elections not to be postponed and announced his intention to run for president. Arestovych has been extremely critical of Zelensky’s government in recent months, claiming he has received pressure and threats as a result. In his speech, the Ukrainian president called it “completely irresponsible and frivolous to start a public debate on the issue of elections in wartime.” Ukraine’s military and security establishment has previously warned of the challenge of ensuring election day security amid war and allowing all soldiers, refugees and internally displaced persons the opportunity to vote.
*With information from EFE.