Zelenskyy: No presidential elections will be scheduled for February 24
The President of Ukraine once again commented on rumors that he would schedule presidential elections and a referendum for February 24, on the fourth anniversary of the start of the full-scale war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: AP Photo / Markus Schreiber
«February 24 is a special date. And even if there was an aim or appropriate steps to bring forward one election or another, I believe it would be an absolutely foolish idea to take such a date to talk about politics. This is a very serious date — four years of war. A large number of people defended our state, who gave their lives. And it is since February 24 that our people defend their state every day. I would never be able to do that.
Therefore, no elections, absolutely no elections, can be announced on February 24. The issue is not about individuals. No elections can be announced on February 24,» wrote Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his Telegram channel.»
He also emphasized that the main thing in this is security, and then politics.
«We can proceed to elections when all relevant security guarantees are in place. The issue of elections is raised by various partners. Ukraine itself has never raised this question. But, of course, we are ready for elections. It's very simple to do — make a ceasefire, and there will be elections. That is, it's a matter of security,» Zelenskyy noted.
Recall that FT wrote that Ukraine has started planning elections and a referendum, and they could take place by May 15. The Trump administration demands that both votes be held by this date, otherwise Ukraine could lose security guarantees from the USA.
According to FT sources, Zelenskyy plans to announce the elections as early as February 24, which will be the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Yesterday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told BBC Ukrainian service that he was hearing about the February 24 date for the first time.
«This is the first I've heard of it. I read it in the FT this morning, now I hear it from you. We will come to elections when there are security guarantees. I have already said: there will be a ceasefire — there will be elections. This is a matter of security,» the President of Ukraine noted, answering journalists' questions in the President's Office chat.
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Ціханоўскай на заметку. Якая казала, што збіраецца прыўрочыць свой візіт вас Украіну да гэтай даты 24.02.