Ukraine's Call to Denounce Russian Elections in Annexed Territories

The majority of Ukrainian society opposes holding presidential elections in March 2023 when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's term ends, due to the ongoing Russian invasion and occupation of eastern territories. A nationwide poll and a survey by the International Republican Institute both showed that the public supports postponing elections until after the war. Civil society groups have also expressed concerns about the lack of political competition and the vulnerability of the electronic voting system to hacking. Some politicians, including members of Zelenskyy's government, have questioned the postponement, while Russian propaganda aims to undermine Ukraine's democratic credentials. Pressure from conservative lawmakers in the United States, who link aid to Ukraine with immigration policy, has also influenced the debate. Zelenskyy has taken a stand against holding elections, emphasizing the need to focus on defense and the fate of the state.