“First – safety. Rockets and drones should not fly during the election campaign and voting. In my opinion, this can only be achieved by announcing a truce,” Podolak wrote in the Telegram messenger.
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The second issue he pointed to is the implementation of electoral law. As he recalled, hostilities continue along a front line that is over 1,200 kilometers long.
“Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are taking part in them, and at least the same number live in the frontline zones. How can we ensure their right to choose and be elected? The answer: a truce,” added the presidential adviser.
The third issue is the financing of elections. “We have millions of displaced people, which significantly complicates and increases the logistic costs of electoral procedures. Obtaining such huge funds should not be a problem only for Ukraine,” he stressed.
Read also: Zelensky talks about a referendum on Donbas. New reports
According to the deputy head of the president's office, participants in the negotiation process must ensure that these three basic issues are resolved before Ukraine changes its legislation to hold elections during the war. “If answers to these three questions are found, we are ready,” Podolak explained.
Volodymyr Zelensky about the elections in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky noted on Thursday that holding elections in Ukraine during the war requires a ceasefire.
— There must be a ceasefire — at least for the duration of the electoral process and voting. This is what needs to be discussed. Honestly, here in Ukraine, we think America should talk to the Russian side about this, he said.
Read also: Ukraine has prepared proposals for a peace plan. Key issues still without compromise
Wartime elections are prohibited by Ukrainian law, but Zelensky, whose term expired in 2024, is again under pressure from President Donald Trump to hold the elections.
Donald Trump expects Volodymyr Zelensky to make concessions
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Politico that the president of Ukraine “must start accepting” peace proposals because he is losing the war and added that Volodymyr Zelensky “must be a realist”.
— I wonder how long it will be before they hold elections. It's democracy. (…) They haven't had elections for a long time. They're losing a lot of people, Trump said.
Read also: An unexpected turn in Brussels. Volodymyr Zelensky returns to Kiev without meeting the American delegation
Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he is ready to hold elections in the country and if Ukraine receives security guarantees for this period, the vote could take place in 60-90 days.
