Kurt Volker on wartime elections: "Ukraine needs to defeat Russia first"

Volker shared these views in an interview with Radio Svoboda.

Volker identified a significant challenge in ensuring access to polling locations for displaced individuals and residents of the occupied territories.

"The situation is highly complex. In my view, the most critical consideration is that it's very challenging to conduct fair elections under the conditions of martial law, with a significant portion of Ukraine under Russian occupation, and with displaced people. People must have access to ballots, proper registration procedures, and there's a potential for intimidation in the occupied areas that makes it difficult for people to vote," explained Volker.

However, Volker emphasized that conducting elections is fundamental to democracy, and Europe encourages Ukraine to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles through elections. Nonetheless, he stressed that Ukraine's top priority should be winning the war.

"What's the way forward? Personally, I believe our focus should be on supporting Ukraine in its efforts to achieve victory in the war. The United States should assist Ukraine as much and as swiftly as possible in creating the conditions necessary for successful, free, and fair elections," underscored the diplomat.

Elections amidst the war

In May, Tiny Kox, the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, emphasized the importance of conducting free and fair elections in Ukraine, even during the ongoing war. In response, Danilov, the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, firmly stated that holding any elections, including presidential and parliamentary ones, during martial law was not feasible.

By July 28, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, pointed out that Ukraine's Constitution did not expressly prohibit holding elections during martial law. However, he stressed the need to strike a balance in the current situation.

In August, Deputy Speaker Kornienko highlighted three groups of people who might face difficulties participating in the elections. The first group consisted of refugees, as there may not be sufficient infrastructure abroad to facilitate their voting. The second group included internally displaced persons, who could pose challenges related to proper accounting and creating voter lists. The third group comprised military personnel.

On September 7, Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security Council, voiced concerns that holding elections could jeopardize Ukraine's chances of winning the war. He stated, "I can confidently say that if campaign efforts reach the trenches, we stand to lose. Campaigning cannot occur in the trenches, and our troops are stationed there. The state's primary responsibility is to ensure that everyone can cast their votes.