Next February 24th will mark 4 years of war in Ukraine. President Zelensky intends to announce the plan for presidential elections and a referendum on that date. The Financial Times writes this, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning and other sources informed on the matter. However, a stop comes from Kiev: “As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements.”
Zelensky’s plan
According to what was reported by the Financial Times, Kiev’s moves are being influenced by a sort of ultimatum given by the USA. Ukraine has begun planning elections alongside a referendum on a possible peace deal with Russia after the Trump administration pressured both votes to be held by May 15 or risk losing the security guarantees proposed by the US.
Last Friday, the Ukrainian president declared that the US “says it wants to do everything by June, so that the war ends” and that “they want a clear program”.
Calling elections – underlines FT – would mark a radical political turning point for a president who has repeatedly argued that such votes are impossible while the country remains under martial law, millions of Ukrainians are displaced and around 20% of the country is under Russian occupation.
The reply
However, a reply arrived from the office of the Ukrainian president. “As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements (about the elections),” the response according to RBC Ukraine.