Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that local elections in Donbas can only be held once the Russian troops have removed their forces and in accordance with Ukrainian laws.
When asked at a briefing following a meeting with Estonian counterpart Kersti Kaljulaid in Kyiv on Sept. 13 whether troops withdrawal would be followed by elections in Donbas, Zelensky said, “Yes. What? Is there any other way?”
These are complicated topics, not confined to just one issue, he said.
“It is a matter, first, of exchanging people, then of disengaging troops. Right now we are talking about disengagement in Zolote and Petrivske. Only then shall we speak of troops disengagement across the whole territory, that’s 400 kilometers. And only after that shall we be able to discuss a format for elections in the occupied territories,” Zelensky said.
Donbas is Ukraine and it should have local elections, but in accordance with the Ukrainian laws, he said.
“I cannot discuss all other details and timeframes with you right now,” Zelensky said.
