Zelenskyi explained why elections in the uncontrolled Donbas are now impossible
Photo: The President's Office
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi believes that elections are currently impossible in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions uncontrolled by Ukraine.
He stated this in an interview with Politico Europe, the president's press service reports.
"No. I can give you a more detailed answer. I told President Macron, German Chancellor Merkel, and President Putin that we will not have observers there if there is no border (under our control) and we cannot control the election. None of the Western observers will be able to come there. Therefore, the elections will never be open there," the president said when asked if local elections could take place in the uncontrolled territories of Donbas.
Zelenskyi also stressed that from the point of the security situation in the uncontrolled Donbas, there will be no free access for all parties, and the law enforcement system will not work.
"We don't know what will happen if there is no (controlled by Ukraine – ed.) border between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian authorities should control the border of Ukraine. I say this openly. I believe that it can not be otherwise. There's a public outbreak in Ukraine. It's not possible at any point," the head of state stressed.
He also reminded that one of the "Minsk" points was the withdrawal of all illegal military formations from the territory and then transferring border control to Ukraine.
"And then we know that nothing else is happening, that there are no other militarized structures and they are not returning," Zelenskyi added.
The Verkhovna Rada has scheduled regular local elections in Ukraine for October 25, except for the temporarily uncontrolled districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
