Zelensky Says He Is 'Ready' to Organize a Presidential Election if Security Conditions Are Met

Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Tuesday that he is 'ready' to organize a presidential election in Ukraine but is asking his allies to ensure the security of the process in a country that has faced a Russian invasion for nearly four years.

'I am ready for elections,' the Ukrainian leader told reporters, responding to Donald Trump's criticism regarding the lack of new elections in Ukraine.

The American president expressed in an interview with Politico that Ukraine, which has 'lost a lot of territory,' should hold elections, accusing Kyiv of 'using the war' as an excuse to avoid them.

'I am now asking, I am stating openly, for the United States to assist me, possibly with European colleagues, in ensuring security for the elections,' said Mr. Zelensky.

Martial law, in effect since the start of a large-scale Russian offensive against Ukraine in February 2022, prohibits the organization of elections under such circumstances.

Ukraine is facing near-daily Russian bombardments impacting its entire territory, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fighting on the front lines.

Mr. Zelensky mentioned that he is requesting lawmakers to prepare 'proposals on the possibility of amending (...) election legislation under (martial) law.'

'It is a courageous, democratic, and resistant behavior to war,' reacted French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces, Alice Rufo.

'When he says it is complicated to organize elections during wartime and that we need to consider compatibility with martial law, he is correct,' she commented on the French television channel LCI.

'We know very well that Russia will inevitably interfere in these elections. He is right to remind us that his country is a democracy and that he is willing to do a lot to serve it. He also has a good reason to demand that the security of these elections is guaranteed,' she added.

Moreover, the Ukrainian president confirmed that the initial American proposal for a resolution to the conflict has been divided into three documents: a 20-point framework agreement, a document regarding security guarantees, and another on the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.

'Yes, there are three. We are discussing them with the Americans and have already started discussions with the Europeans,' said Mr. Zelensky, emphasizing that he hopes to submit an updated version to the United States on Wednesday.

He also acknowledged that the possibility for Ukraine to join NATO is becoming more distant.

'We are realistic, we really want to be in NATO. In my opinion, it would be fair. But we know for certain that neither the United States nor some other countries, to be honest, currently see Ukraine in NATO,' Mr. Zelensky told reporters.