Lavrov on elections in Ukraine: they must be an element of peaceful settlement

Elections in Ukraine and Russia's Position

According to Главком: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the elections in Ukraine must be an element of peaceful settlement. Meanwhile, the Kremlin insists on a review of Ukraine's state model, emphasizing that elections alone do not solve anything. These comments came amid intensified discussions on holding elections in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky's powers will end in May 2024.

According to Lavrov, elections should become a mandatory element of the peaceful resolution of the war. In this context, it is noted that Ukraine needs to prepare for democratic processes. President Zelensky has also confirmed that the country is politically ready for such changes. Elections can take place through hybrid voting, involving both online and offline methods.

Preparation for Elections and Russia's Demands

Preparation for the elections has already begun: the first meeting of the special working group for election preparation took place on December 26. At the same time, holding elections in Ukraine could cost at least 20 billion UAH, significantly more than the expenses for the last presidential elections in 2019, which amounted to about 2 billion UAH.

In addition, Russia sets out a number of key demands regarding Ukraine, including:

• neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status;
• complete demilitarization and 'denazification';
• prohibition of NATO military presence on the territory of Ukraine;
• guarantees for the rights of Russian speakers;
• protection of 'canonical Orthodoxy';
• recognition of the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions.

These aspects play an important role in the future negotiations for the peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine.

Comments by Sergei Lavrov indicate that Russia again emphasizes the need for changes in Ukraine's internal political structure, which may influence the course of negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. - Sergei Lavrov

As Ukraine prepares for the elections, it is important to consider not only the financial costs but also the political context in which these changes may occur, as well as the demands put forth by Russia as part of the peace initiatives.