Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says Kyiv will not hold elections until ceasefire in place
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed reports that he is planning to announce elections on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of his country on 24 February.
“Even if there were an intention or relevant steps toward bringing certain elections forward, I believe it would be an utterly stupid idea to use such a date to talk about politics,” he wrote on social media.
However, he told reporters on WhatsApp: “But of course, we are ready for elections. I said it’s very simple to do: establish a ceasefire — there will be elections. This is a matter of security.”
Mr Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019 and constitutionally cannot hold new elections while Ukraine is at war.
Reports that he was planning to announce elections this month appear to be a response to US pressure and claims from the Kremlin and the White House that he does not have a democratic mandate.
Meanwhile, Norway’s top military official has warned it cannot ignore the possibility of a future Russian invasion over nuclear assets stationed in the far north.
