Verkhovna Rada upholds resolution on the impossibility of holding elections during the war

On 25 February, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Resolution №13039 on supporting democracy in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression on the second attempt.

This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak of the «Holos» party.

According to him, the legislative initiative was supported by 268 MPs.

The Verkhovna Rada stressed that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who is responsible for the fact that it is currently impossible to organise free, transparent and democratic elections in Ukraine with the invitation of international observers, which would be recognised by the international community.

It was also noted that the martial law imposed in Ukraine in the context of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation does not allow for elections in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine.

«Only the establishment of a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine will allow the restoration of normal life in the country, an integral part of which will be the holding of elections in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, in compliance with all international standards of a rule-of-law democratic state», the decision says.

It also added that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected in free, transparent, democratic elections. His mandate is not questioned by the Ukrainian people and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

At the same time, the Council called on the international community to join forces to end Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and establish a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.

As a reminder, the day before, the Verkhovna Rada failed to vote for Resolution 13039 on supporting democracy in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.