Changes to election legislation: Zelenskyy explains what is needed for work to begin in February

The head of state was asked whether he plans to meet with the Servant of the People faction before the session week, particularly on preparations for holding elections and a referendum. Journalists also recalled that faction leader David Arakhamia named February as an approximate time for such preparations and asked if Zelenskyy agrees.

According to the president, everything depends on the course of further negotiations and "achieving desired results."

First and foremost, this concerns the 20 points of the plan; in case of a referendum, it would be put to a vote. At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that everything is considered comprehensively: along with the peace plan points are security guarantees from Washington. Such an agreement between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump should be sealed with a signature, the Ukrainian leader stated.

The economic block is also important here, along with work by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Zelenskyy, Economy Minister Oleksiy Soboliev and the American negotiating team, as Kyiv needs a recovery package for Ukraine.

"I think if we manage all this in January, then February could probably be a working month on legislative changes," Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, he added this also depends on lawmakers, who must "demonstrate results" in preparations for changing election legislation and the referendum law. So discussing this in detail is "premature," as negotiation results are needed first.

More on elections in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will be ready to hold elections "in the next 60-90 days" after partners guarantee voter safety and lawmakers adopt certain legislative changes. He said this after further comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that elections are needed in Ukraine.

The head of state also asked lawmakers to prepare legislative changes that would allow elections during martial law.

A working group has been formed in the Verkhovna Rada to process the issue of possible presidential elections during martial law.

According to Verkhovna Rada speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, the law on elections during martial law is planned to be used once, after which Ukraine should return to the practice provided by the Constitution and Election Code.