Security Guarantees and Elections During War: What Ukraine Discusses

Security Guarantees and Elections During War: What Ukraine Discusses

According to Студия Руслана Бизяева: Ukraine is simultaneously discussing several complex political and military processes, from seeking security guarantees to the possibility of holding elections. President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree to legalize the document on security guarantees in the political and legal field. This step is viewed as an attempt to initiate the official procedure for preparing an international legal treaty, possibly with the USA, involving a wide range of experts and institutions for further coordination. However, the negotiation process may be lengthy.

As analysts note, Russia's reaction to the official document may be harsh:

“We examined it, we consider that this provision and this one, and this one, and this one we are not ready to sign, it does not meet our interests.”

Discussions on Elections During Martial Law

There is a separate discussion regarding elections during martial law. It is reminded that during hostilities in Donbas in 2014 and under the presidency of Petro Poroshenko elections were held, as were local ones in 2019-2020 (though not in the occupied territory). Experts suggest mechanisms for possible voting:

• an extended 7-day process,
• using the 'Diiia' app,
• mail voting,
• open polling stations.

However, the authorities and their European partners believe that elections now could destabilize the situation. Russia has put forward a condition for a ceasefire – the holding of Ukrainian elections with voting by citizens in temporarily occupied territories.

On the international stage, Donald Trump's initiative regarding the 'Council of Peace', which was to convene on February 19, did not receive full support. Russia, China, and Belarus refused to participate, which is associated with their unwillingness to enter a structure dominated unequivocally by Washington.

In the military sphere, Ukraine announced a possible export of UAVs, intensifying the discussion about defense order priorities. The development of air defense systems is also being discussed, including laser ones, which are already in service in China, Israel, and partially Russia, but their creation in Ukraine is currently considered a long-term prospect. As the president stated, “the situation remains complicated.”