Ukraine: Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the discussions regarding the nation’s scheduled 2024 elections, saying it is “irresponsible” as the country is in a war.
The President said in a video address that Ukraine must focus on the military and stay united.
“We all understand that now, in wartime, when there are many challenges, it is utterly irresponsible to engage in topics related to an election in such a frivolous manner,” Mr. Zelenskyy remarked.
“We need to recognise that this is a time for defence, a time for battle, upon which the fate of the state and its people depend. … I believe that elections are not appropriate at this time,” the President added.
Last week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Mr. Dmytro Kuleba stated that the president was considering the positives and negatives of conducting elections during a time when large areas of the country remain affected by the war.
Meanwhile, US Senator Ms. Lindsey Graham said to hold the election in Ukraine as planned to show the country’s commitment to democracy.
Ukraine’s parliamentary elections that would have taken place last month were also cancelled due to the war, as per the statement.
Mr. Zelenskyy was elected on April 21, 2019, receiving 73 percent of the vote to Mr. Poroshenko’s 25 percent.
“Time has passed, people are tired, …. but this is not a stalemate, No one among our partners is pressuring us to sit down with Russia, talk to it and give it something,” Mr. Zelenskyy stated on November 4, 2023, in a press conference.