**Ukraine Refuses to Hold Elections Under Martial Law**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated that his country will not hold elections under martial law, even if Russia makes it a condition for negotiations. In an interview on Ukrainian television released on January 2, Zelensky said that presidential and parliamentary elections are not possible under martial law.
**Constitutional Rules**
The Ukrainian constitution does not permit elections to take place while the country is under martial law. Martial law was declared on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine. The current deadline for presidential elections is March or April 2024, but this has been postponed due to the ongoing war.
**Russian Claims**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Zelensky’s authority should pass to Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk while martial law is in place. However, Kyiv rejects this claim as a distortion of the constitution.
**When Elections Can Take Place**
According to Zelensky, martial law can be lifted once Ukraine ends the hot stage of the war, maintains a strong army, and secures powerful security guarantees. Only then can the parliament set a date for elections.
**No Compromise on Elections**
Zelensky has dismissed the idea of holding elections under martial law as a condition for peace talks with Russia. “We would violate Ukrainian legislation on behalf of Putin, who has violated all our legislation, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he said.
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