Moscow: Russia on Wednesday expressed a cautious stance regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent declaration of readiness to hold a presidential election, contingent on security assurances. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conveyed that Russia would "see how things develop" following Zelenskyy's statement, emphasizing that the issue is one that Russian President Vladimir Putin has long discussed, and which was recently addressed by US President Donald Trump.
According to Anadolu Agency, Peskov, speaking to reporters at a press briefing, highlighted that the topic of elections in Ukraine is not new to Russian discourse. He noted that Moscow has yet to engage in discussions with any parties, including the United States, regarding the elections. Peskov reiterated Russia's commitment to achieving a sustainable, long-term peace through the necessary diplomatic channels, particularly in response to Zelenskyy's comments about a potential energy ceasefire agreement if Russia reciprocates.
Zelenskyy had declared on Tuesday his readiness to initiate a presidential election within 60 to 90 days, provided that security and legal conditions are met. He called on the US and European allies to assist in creating a conducive environment for conducting elections during wartime, countering recent remarks by Trump. The former US president had suggested in an interview with Politico that Ukraine was delaying elections under the pretext of ongoing conflict, a claim Zelenskyy firmly denied.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the decision to hold elections lies solely with Ukrainians and was not discussed during recent interactions with American officials. He has urged Ukrainian legislators to draft legal changes that would enable elections during wartime, seeking international support to establish the necessary security framework amidst Russian aggression.
In his briefing, Peskov also addressed Trump's Politico interview, indicating that Moscow had "carefully" analyzed the statements, especially those related to the Ukraine peace process. He acknowledged that Trump touched on the fundamental issues of the conflict, particularly Ukraine's NATO membership and territorial disputes, aligning with Russia's perspective.