EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has said Russia must end its war against Ukraine before elections can be held in the country.
Speaking to journalists in Luxembourg on Monday ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Kallas was responding to comments by US President Donald Trump regarding elections in Ukraine.
"If pressure is put on Russia to force it to end the war, I am confident that elections will take place in Ukraine," Kallas said.
She stressed that holding elections during wartime is not possible under Ukraine's constitutional framework.
"I understand that President Zelensky has also said that, in the event of a ceasefire, he is ready to hold elections as soon as possible. But elections always involve competition between different groups within a country, while attacks are coming from outside. That is why maintaining unity in society is extremely important during wartime," she explained.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also emphasised that decisions regarding elections and the country's future belong exclusively to Ukraine.
"Ukraine is a sovereign state, and only Ukraine itself will decide on elections and its future," Kos said ahead of the same meeting in Luxembourg.
The commissioner expressed hope that Ukraine, which she said was demonstrating remarkable progress, would continue to receive substantial international support.
"No other country is doing as much in terms of reforms on the path towards EU membership as Ukraine. To be at war, fighting for survival, while simultaneously implementing reforms and participating in the EU accession process — show me another country in the world doing this. Only Ukraine is capable of it," Kos said.
Commenting on the proposed energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, Kos acknowledged uncertainty over when it would take effect.
"There are different explanations as to when exactly it will begin. So we will see whether it is actually linked to oil supplies from Russia. I hope that, regardless of the conditions, the ceasefire will eventually happen," she said.
Kos also condemned Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.
"What is happening in Ukraine now is not war, but terrorist acts against the civilian population and infrastructure. It is harming civilians, which is simply appalling, and the Russians must stop it," the commissioner stated.
