Zelensky Hints at Delaying Presidential Election: Now is Not the Time for Elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky./AP United News

Amid pressure to hold presidential elections during the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested a delay until next year, stating, “Now is not the time.”

According to TASS and other sources, President Zelensky emphasized in a video speech on the 6th (local time) that “any political division must be prevented” and that now is not the time for elections.

He said, “Now is a time of defense and struggle to determine the fate of our country and our people,” and that political division in Ukraine due to the presidential election is what Russia wants.

He added, “Everyone should focus on defense issues, and state institutions should not waste energy or power on anything else.”

In Ukraine, presidential elections are held every five years, and President Zelensky, who took office on May 20, 2019, will finish his term next year.

However, since Russia’s invasion in February, Ukraine has declared martial law and postponed all levels of elections.

The United States and other Western countries are pressuring President Zelensky to prove his governing ability and hold the election as scheduled.

In response, President Zelensky has proposed that if the West provides $5 billion in election costs and conditions are created for soldiers on the front lines and refugees abroad to participate in the election, the presidential election can be held.

However, in his speech on this day, President Zelensky reiterated his stance that it is impossible to hold a wartime election next year, which is interpreted as trying to put an end to the controversy.

By. Seon Miri