Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed reports that he is planning to announce elections on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country on 24 February.
“Even if there were an intention or relevant steps toward bringing certain elections forward, I believe it would be an utterly stupid idea to use such a date to talk about politics,” he wrote on social media.
However, he told reporters on WhatsApp: “But of course, we are ready for elections. I said it’s very simple to do: establish a ceasefire — there will be elections. This is a matter of security.”
Mr Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019 and constitutionally cannot hold new elections while Ukraine is at war.
Reports that he was planning to announce elections this month appear to be a response to US pressure and claims from the Kremlin and the White House that he does not have a democratic mandate.
Meanwhile, Norway’s top military official has warned it cannot ignore the possibility of a future Russian invasion over nuclear assets stationed in the far north.
