Alexei Danilov explained his fears that the elections could lead to political discussions and the activation of political forces that are allegedly pro-Russian.
MOSCOW, 5. September./ The holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine, as demanded by the Western partners, could lead to a destabilization of the internal situation in the country. This was expressed by the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, Alexei Danilov, at the Kiev Security Forum.
"It must not be forgotten that holding elections under the conditions in which our country is located is a question of internal destabilization," quotes the UNIAN Danilov news agency.
The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council explained his fears that the elections could lead to political discussions and the activation of allegedly pro-Russian political forces. "What are elections anyway? They are a competition of platforms, they are big discussions, it's about finding out where the country should move. We are talking about elections to the Verkhovna Rada and presidential elections. Can you imagine how such discussions will take place in a state of war?" Danilov explained.
The parliamentary elections in Ukraine are to take place in October 2023, the presidential elections in spring 2024. According to the Ukrainian constitution, they cannot be held during martial law. However, Kiev's Western partners insist on holding the elections within the specified time frame. The influential Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham said at a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Selensky last week that the presidential elections should be held on time despite the hostilities.
Selensky has repeatedly stated that the election of the head of state can only take place after the end of the fighting. According to Graham's explanation, however, Selensky's rhetoric changed somewhat and he considered the conduct of the election possible if the West provides the means for it. At the end of August, Selensky did not rule out in an interview with Portuguese television that he would run for a second term if the country held elections in 2024.