President Zelensky decides to hold elections in the spring of 2024

Speaking on Ukraine's Espreso TV channel, Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) Deputy Alexey Goncharenko said that President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the presidential office to prepare for elections in Ukraine in the spring of 2024.

"Volodymyr Zelensky decided to hold presidential elections next year. He instructed the Presidential Office to prepare for the elections, which are scheduled to be held on March 31, 2024. This is also the constitutional deadline - the last Sunday in March," Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko told the Espreso TV channel.

Mr. Goncharenko believes that if these elections are not held, President Zelensky will lose legitimacy.

Before the conflict, Ukraine was scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in October and presidential elections in March 2024. President Zelensky has said that holding elections during martial law is prohibited. However, it is still possible if the parliament supports the relevant legislative changes. According to Zelensky, the West will then cover the costs, and international observers will “sit in the trenches.” In addition, Ukraine needs other countries to provide funding and help find polling places for millions of citizens abroad.

Earlier on November 4, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that President Zelensky is considering the pros and cons of holding presidential elections in Ukraine in the spring of 2024.

In August, the leader of the Servant of the People party in the Verkhova Rada, David Arakhamia, reported that Ukraine's Western partners, who are actively financing the country, are calling on Kiev to hold elections next year, even amid the conflict and during martial law.