Zelensky recalled that the request for elections in Ukraine during the war came from the United States, and before that a similar message came from the occupying country of the Russian Federation.
“I have always said that I am not holding on to the chair, we are ready for this. I am politically ready, but we need to be legislatively ready so that the elections are later recognized as legitimate,” the president emphasized.
He also noted the importance of ensuring security during elections.
After massive Russian strikes on the night of December 27, there is an understanding that “there must be safe skies and security everywhere” in Ukraine “during the elections or referendum,” Zelensky added.
“It is very important that there be a presence of observers everywhere. Again, regarding legitimacy. And it is important what actions the Russian Federation is already taking, and what counteractions our partners should take regarding potential elections,” the president said.
Zelensky, citing data from the Foreign Intelligence Service, said that the Russian Federation “has already set the task of doing everything to ensure that Ukrainians who are on the territory of Russia, as well as those Ukrainians who are in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia, have the opportunity to vote.”
“The task is to definitely raise this issue, that a large number of people live there and they have the right to vote, in order to then say that Russia does not recognize these elections,” the president explained.
As Zelensky pointed out, Russia “doesn’t care how to convey the message regarding the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian government.”
“I always talk about this. Russia itself is illegitimate and therefore will give response messages about the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian government,” the Ukrainian president concluded.
