Zelenskyy Agrees to Hold Elections in Ukraine if Us Helps Pay for It

Ukrainian President 👤Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it’s possible for Ukraine told hold elections in 2024 amid the country’s war with Russia, so long as the United States and Europe help pay the cost, Reuters reported on Sunday evening.

Zelenskyy had previously stated in June that all elections, including presidential and parliamentary elections, would not be held in Ukraine until the war ends, The New Voice Of Ukraine reported. After speaking with a number of U.S. lawmakers in Kyiv last week, Zelenskyy said he’s open to holding elections during wartime, as long as certain laws can be changed and the U.S. and Europe are willing to help bear the costs, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy said that he had discussed the matter with Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was one of the lawmakers to visit Kyiv last week, according to Reuters. Graham had expressed during a press briefing that it was necessary for Ukraine to hold “free and fair” elections despite the country’s ongoing war with Russia.

“I gave Lindsey a very simple answer very quickly. He was very pleased with it. As long as our legislators are willing to do it,” Zelenskyy said, according to Reuters. Zelenskyy also noted that it normally costs $135 million to host an election during peacetime.

“I don’t know how much is needed in wartime,” Zelenskyy said. “So I told him that if the US and Europe provide financial support…”

He added that Ukraine “will not take money from weapons and give it to elections” as it is “stipulated by the law.”