The country’s leader, whose term expired in May 2024, directed the remark at those who want elections
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has brushed aside domestic critics who want elections, telling them to “go choose another citizenship,” and reiterating that voting will remain suspended until the conflict with Russia is over.
Parliamentary elections in Ukraine had originally been scheduled for October 2023, and presidential elections for May 2024. However, in December 2023, Zelensky announced that the polls would not open for as long as martial law was in force.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Zelensky claimed that he was “ready to talk about elections, [but] Ukrainians don’t want this.”
“My main priority is the survival of the country,” he emphasized, adding that “we’re not talking about me, but the future of our country.” He suggested that pursuing the electoral process under the current circumstances would undermine national unity.
“If someone doesn’t like [the way things are], they can choose another citizenship,” Zelensky concluded.
In an interview with ITV News last week, the Ukrainian leader made similar statements, alleging that the “topic of elections has been brought up by Russians.”
He explained that in order to hold elections, martial law would first have to be lifted, which would likely lead to the effective dissolution of the army. He also pointed to the fact that approximately 8 million Ukrainians currently reside abroad.
Speaking to Reuters earlier this month, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, in turn, stressed that “most democratic nations have elections in their time of war.” He added that “I think it is important [the Ukrainians] do so,” as this would be “good for democracy.” According to the report, Washington would like Kiev to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, potentially by the end of this year.
Speaking late last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin argued that “due to his illegitimacy, [Zelensky] has no right to sign anything.” He noted at the time that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage extensions of the president’s term, only allowing such an option for the parliament, which he described as a legitimate governing body.
The Russian head of state stressed that any potential peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev must be watertight from a legal standpoint.
Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that the “Russian side remains open to negotiations” with Ukraine despite Zelensky’s dubious legal status.
