Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects holding elections in Ukraine as long as hostilities continue, citing security risks and logistical problems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS, cited by Ukrainska Pravda, that holding elections in Ukraine is impossible as long as active hostilities continue. He cited the provisions of the Constitution and electoral legislation, security risks and major logistical difficulties.

Zelenskyy said he would be prepared to organize elections immediately if the situation allowed it. According to the president, approximately nine million Ukrainians are abroad, and under normal circumstances only around 500,000 of them take part in voting. He also raised the issue of organizing the election in territories temporarily occupied by Russia, where the electoral process could not be controlled.

The leader in Kyiv recalled that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed a ceasefire, including to prepare for elections and reduce tensions, but Russia rejected these initiatives.

Zelenskyy also criticized calls by some officials to organize elections quickly, describing them as a mistake and an attempt to revive domestic politics during the war. He said the main priority remains achieving peace, while the population is concerned with survival, safety and their children's access to school.