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Zelensky says Ukraine could hold elections in 2024, with Western help

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that elections could be held in the country during the war with Russia if Western partners help cover the costs, lawmakers approve, and all citizens are able to vote, according to Reuters, news.ro reported.

Zelensky's comments came in response to calls from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who visited Kiev on August 23 and urged the Ukrainian leader to announce elections in 2024. Graham said that Ukraine would need to show that it is different from Russia by holding elections during the conflict.

In an interview with Ukrainian television, Zelensky said that he had discussed the issue of funding and the need to amend the law with Graham. "I gave Lindsey a very simple and very quick answer," he said. "He was very happy with it. As long as our legislators are willing to do it."

Zelensky said that elections in Ukraine cost 5 billion hryvnias (US$135 million) in peacetime. "I don't know how much it is needed in wartime," he said. "So I told him that if the US and Europe provide financial support...".

He added: "I will not take money from arms to use for elections. And this is stipulated by law."

Zelensky said that he had told Graham that election observers would need to be able to go to the front lines. "I told him: You and I should send observers to the frontline, so that we can have legitimate elections for ourselves and for the whole world," he said.

Ukraine would also need help to establish additional access to voting for millions of people living abroad, especially in the European Union, he said. "There is a way out," he said. "I am ready for it."

Zelensky said that it was important to include those who are fighting against the Russian invasion in the elections. "They are defending this democracy today and to not give them this opportunity because of the war... - it is unfair. I was against elections only because of this," he said.

Under current Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held during martial law, which must be renewed every 90 days. The current martial law order expires on November 15, after the normal date for the October parliamentary elections, but before the March 2024 presidential elections.

Carolina Străjescu

Carolina Străjescu

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