The Kremlin demands elections in Ukraine for peace: what Zelensky responded.

According to ТСН: The Kremlin stated that the Ukrainian authorities will only be able to conclude peace agreements after elections are held. This opinion was expressed by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his interview.

Moscow's position

Lavrov noted that Russia believes that the powers of the current President of Ukraine are already exhausted, and a mandate confirmed by 'honest elections' is necessary to sign peace agreements. The Minister also emphasized that in Washington, according to him, there is an increasing tendency to lean towards this point of view.

'Moscow sees that Washington adheres to a view similar to the Russian one regarding the need for elections in Ukraine in light of the expiration of Zelensky's powers,' said Lavrov.

Participation of Ukrainian citizens

Moreover, the Kremlin insists that participation in voting must also be ensured for Ukrainian citizens who are on Russian territory. However, Moscow is also convinced that elections should not serve as a justification for stopping hostilities in order to rearm Ukraine.

Territorial demands

Lavrov reiterated the Kremlin's demand for recognition of the territorial realities concerning the annexed Crimea and the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories which Russia has illegally included in its composition.

Earlier, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky noted that security issues are key in the context of holding elections or a referendum regarding the peace plan.

The Kremlin's demands regarding elections in Ukraine highlight the complexity of the situation in which the country finds itself. While the international community calls for peace negotiations, Ukraine insists on its right to determine the path to peace without external pressure. The situation remains under close scrutiny, and future actions may significantly impact regional stability.