US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg said that elections are a “sign of a healthy democracy“ and added that Ukraine must be ready to hold them, even during war, Ukrinform reported, citing Kellogg's interview with “Newsmax”, BTA reported.
“Every democratic country holds elections. We have also held elections in the midst of war,” he noted.
Kellogg acknowledged that the Ukrainian constitution prohibits holding elections during wartime, but he said Ukrainians will eventually come to a point where they have to vote.
“And that is a sign of a healthy democracy,” he said.
Kellogg added that holding elections in Ukraine does not necessarily mean that President Volodymyr Zelensky must step down. “A sign of a healthy democracy is the willingness and ability to hold elections, even during wartime”, he stressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said that Zelensky is not the legitimate president of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president confirmed yesterday that he is ready to sit at the negotiating table with Vladimir Putin, but the Russian president is afraid to talk to him about ending the war, Ukrinform reported. The head of state made this statement during a briefing with media representatives together with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renou-Basso.
"We will work with partners to reach an understanding and common views on ending the war. Even if Russia does not like something, we need unanimity with partners and then we will be ready for diplomacy. Certainly, the US - President Trump, and the EU are convinced that diplomacy is impossible without Russia, without Putin. And that is why I say: I am ready. If we have an understanding on how to end the war, we are ready for diplomacy. I have no problem with that," Zelensky stressed, quoted by Ukrinform.
Asked whether he would revoke his decree that made negotiations with Putin impossible, the president noted that "this is the thesis of the Russian Federation". "They will constantly look for an excuse not to meet," Zelensky said, adding that "Putin is afraid" to talk to him about ending the war, Ukrinform points out. "But despite everything, I think that Trump will be able to make him end the war," the Ukrainian president said.