Media: Presidential elections may be held in Ukraine - DATE

Presidential elections in Ukraine may take place this summer. This is reported by the British magazine The Economist, citing a source in the Ukrainian government.

According to the publication, President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to unexpectedly announce elections to catch opponents off guard and deprive them of time for an effective campaign. Sources claim that last week Zelensky instructed his office to prepare for elections that could be organized after the end of hostilities. The US leadership believes that a ceasefire is possible by the end of April.

The exact date of the elections will depend on the decision of the Verkhovna Rada on extending martial law. The vote on this issue should take place before May 8. The lifting of martial law is a key condition for holding elections. According to Ukrainian legislation, the election campaign lasts at least 60 days, so July is considered the earliest possible election date.

However, the preparation process may drag on. According to The Economist, authorities may extend the campaign to three months, as voter lists will need to be restored. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that elections could be held at any time from August to October. He also noted that the election campaign has actually already begun, recalling the sanctions of the Ukrainian Security Council against him.

The Economist reports that sanctions against Poroshenko may be related to his visit to the United States, where he met with representatives of Donald Trump's entourage. According to the ex-president, Zelensky's administration tried to dissuade him from the trip. He believes that the imposition of sanctions is aimed at preventing his participation in the elections and is a warning to Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valery Zaluzhny, who is called a potentially strong rival to Zelensky.