On December 19, according to information from Russian officials, the Moscow government made important statements regarding the possibility of holding presidential elections in Ukraine.
Ella Pamova - Chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission - confirmed that the agency will take necessary measures to ensure voting rights for Ukrainian citizens living in Russia, provided that Kiev accepts holding a legitimate election.
This move concretizes the directions issued by President Vladimir Putin at his annual year-end press conference.
At the event, the Russian leader gave estimated figures that there are currently about 5 to 10 million Ukrainians residing in Russia. Mr. Putin said that this is a large segment of voters and they need to be guaranteed the right to participate in deciding the political future of their country.
Regarding the biggest security issue - a barrier that has delayed Kiev's election, Mr. Putin made a noteworthy proposal. He said the Russian side was ready to consider stopping attacks deep into Ukraine on the day of the vote. The statement is seen as a move to refute Kiev's argument that holding elections is impossible in conflict conditions.
The issue of the identity of the leadership apparatus in Kiev is a controversial topic. Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky's term as President officially ended on May 20, 2024. However, the Ukrainian government has refused to hold new elections, citing the current martial law and safety concerns for voters and soldiers on the front lines.
However, international pressure on this issue is increasing. On December 9, US President Donald Trump said it was time for Ukraine to hold elections, pointing to Kiev's use of the conflict as an excuse to delay the process.
Under pressure from Western partners, Zelensky's stance has changed. He recently declared his readiness for an election but set out the prerequisites, including the Ukrainian parliament having to pass appropriate legal amendments and the US and European partners having measures to ensure absolute safety for the voting process.
