Andriy Yerimak, the head of the Presidential Office, said in an interview published by Corriere della Sera on October 27 that Ukraine would hold elections “immediately after the end” of the war so that all soldiers and refugee could vote.
“(President Volodymyr Zelensky) is very clear. He wants all soldiers and refugee abroad to be able vote,” Yermak said to the Italian newspaper.
“But for the moment, resources must be directed to the war.”
Zelensky was to complete his first five-year presidential term in Ukraine by holding an election in March orApril 2024.
The vote was delayed because the country’s Constitution does not allow elections under martial laws, which were declared on February 24, 2022 at the beginning of Russia’s total invasion.
Zelensky has been in office since May 2019. He said in December 2023 he was ready to hold a presidential election. However, most Ukrainians believe that such a vote in wartime would be “dangerous” and “meaningless”.
Zelensky’s statement was backed by several national surveys, with 70% saying he should remain in office till the end of martial laws.
The postponement of the elections has been used by Russia and other anti-Ukrainian voices to undermine the legitimacy of the president and to cast doubt on Ukraine’s commitment towards democracy.
Ukraine is also expected hold the next parliamentary election after the war. The last vote in the legislature took place in July 2019.
Zelensky’s Servant of the People holds the majority of seats in the parliament. However, there are a growing number of empty seats, as many lawmakers have resigned and cannot be replaced until the next elections.
Andriy Yeermak, Corriere della Sera, said that (President Volodymyr Zelensky) is very clear. He wants all soldiers and refugee abroad to be allowed to vote. “But for the moment, resources must be directed to the war.”
The regional prosecutor’s said that Russian soldiers in Selydove, a town in Donetsk Oblast, have opened fire on civilians at least twice, killing two women and injuring another, the office stated on October 27.
Andrii Sybiha will end his tour of the Middle East and Africa with a visit to Johannesburg and Pretoria. He is seeking to strengthen ties, and drum up support for Ukraine’s peace formula.
According to the central electoral commission, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream Party captured 54.3% in the Oct. 26, parliamentary elections, with more than 99% of precincts being counted.
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia of the opposition Gakharia For Georgia Party said that the results announced “does not reflect the will” of the Georgian population and called for “reasonable protest” in order to “defend European future and the institution” of elections.
Bloomberg reported on October 25, citing unnamed sources, that Germany and France are skeptical about the EU diplomatic services’ proposal to circumvent Hungary’s veto over 6 billion euros ($6.6billion) in defense aid for Kyiv.
A drone struck the Michurinsky District of the region around 0:40 am local time and caused a fire, which was quickly put out, Governor Maxim Egorov stated on his Telegram channel.
The Air Force reported that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 41 of the 80 Russian Shahed drones launched overnight. The statement stated that 32 drones were lost in Ukraine and one flew towards Belarus.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the casualties of the Russian missile attack on Dnipro’s central-eastern Dnipro city late on October 25 that targeted residential buildings and Mechnikov Hospital have risen to 5 dead and 21 injured.
This includes 1,440 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
The chief of the national police in the country said that on October 24, Moscow had funneled $39 million into a scheme run by a pro Russian oligarch to influence election results by paying ordinary people to vote against closer relations with the West.
The Strategic Industries Ministry announced that on October 26, Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, met with India Ambassador to Ukraine Ravi Shankar to discuss strengthening defence industry cooperation between Kyiv & New Delhi.
Windsor Star, a Canadian media outlet, reported on October 26 that Ukrainian-Canadian film-makers pulled their pro Ukrainian film “Intercepted”, from the Windsor International Film Festival in protest. They learned that it was to be screened alongside the controversial documentary “Russians at War”.
Mahuchikh, who accepted her award, said: “It is a very special moment for me because of the difficult time that Ukraine is going through.” “But, you’re right, I’m happy to be here…for all my people in Ukraine and I hope it brings some joy during this time,” Mahuchikh said.
On October 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law allowing foreign volunteers to serve as officers in Ukraine’s International Legion.
During his evening speech on October 26, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that North Korean forces may appear on the front lines fighting alongside Russian forces in the coming weeks.
On Oct. 26, the ruling Georgian Dream Party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ilvanishvili, and groups that aimed to end its 12-year rule, declared victory.
On Oct. 26, footage was released of a person stuffing the ballot box in the southern Georgian town of Marnueli.
The government is currently auditing the exemption process until Nov. 15, to determine which businesses qualify for critical enterprises status. This reflects the government’s efforts to balance the country’s defense needs and economic stability.
Nino Lomjaria is a lawyer and a former ombudswoman who reported on October 26 that a voter observer was assaulted while filming the stuffing of a ballot box.
According to Le Monde, sources cited on October 25, Gazprombank is poised to buy the Russian operations of Auchan, one of Russia’s biggest banks, which is also under U.S. heavy sanctions.
This includes 1,690 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
G7 leaders announced that they would begin disbursing funds by the end the year. The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic, defense and reconstruction needs.
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