EBN- For months, Ukraine has been caught up in a heated debate over whether the country needs to hold a presidential election in March next year as originally scheduled.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that Kyiv is “ready” to organise elections despite the ongoing war.
“I am ready for the elections. I mean, we are ready if it is necessary,” said Zelensky. He added that he was in favour of allowing international observers because “for us the main thing is not to hold elections, but for them to be recognised”.
All elections are prohibited under the country’s current martial law, imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Many in Ukraine are outraged by the idea, fearing a vote could distract the nation from its fight for survival.
Tensions eased after President Volodymyr Zelensky said in November that it was “not the right time” for elections.
But the issue seems to be far from over, and has fuelled a political confrontation unseen in the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
One of the big driving forces for the row though lies not in Ukraine, but the US.
Earlier, Zelensky said Russian air superiority is ‘stopping’ his country’s counteroffensive against occupying forces. The remarks came as Russian air strikes killed several people and injured dozens more in eastern Ukraine.
