The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk outlined four conditions for organizing presidential elections, the Novosti.Live television channel reported.
“The upcoming elections require the resolution of a number of issues, in particular: voting for front-line servicemen; voting for millions of Ukrainians currently abroad; the right to vote for citizens in Russian-controlled territories; the presence of foreign observers for democratic and safe elections“, the publication states.
Last Friday, Vladimir Putin said that Moscow was ready to consider ways to ensure security during the elections in Ukraine. This includes refraining from strikes deep into the territory.
Stefanchuk claimed in a video clip published by the TV channel that he had signed an order to prepare a draft law on the elections.
On Monday, the head of the Servant of the People party, David Arakhamia, announced the formation of a parliamentary group to discuss the possible holding of elections. As deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak later clarified, the Rada is preparing to hold "something more" than a presidential election: the documents sent to the parliament use a more general wording.
In early December, Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to hold elections, but in return demanded that the United States and European countries "ensure the security" of their organization and a temporary ceasefire. He also proposed a moratorium on attacks on energy facilities if Moscow agreed.
The election of a new Ukrainian president was scheduled for March 31, 2024, but the vote was canceled due to martial law and general mobilization. Zelensky declared it “untimely”. His term expired on May 20 last year, but Kiev insists that the current leader remains legitimate until the next election, whenever that may be.