“Ukraine is ready for any timeline for holding a referendum or elections, but security is necessary”, - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on February 11 during a conversation with journalists, Censor.NET reports.
According to the head of state, this is Ukraine’s clear position, which was conveyed by the Ukrainian delegation.
Regarding claims that the U.S. is allegedly threatening to refuse providing such guarantees, the president says this is not true. Washington, he said, while raising the issue of elections, does not link them to security guarantees.
Zelensky added that Ukraine will move to elections only once it receives security guarantees and a ceasefire. The U.S. also is not threatening Ukraine with withdrawing security guarantees if elections are not held.
Thus, the head of state refuted information from the American publication Financial Times that he plans to announce elections and a referendum on a peace agreement on February 24. According to the head of state, he heard about this information only twice from the media.
The head of state emphasized that this date has exceptional symbolic significance:
“This is a very serious date. Four years of war. This is a large number of people who defended our state, who gave their lives. It is precisely since February 24 that they have been defending their state every day. I could never do what you are asking about”.