Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wrote on December 20: "Putin has no right to decide when and in what form Ukraine holds elections, because these elections are only for Ukrainian citizens. Therefore, he certainly cannot influence anything, let alone affect the election results."

Voting is conducted by Ukrainian citizens residing within Ukraine and in areas controlled by Ukraine. Here, we can ensure the fairness and transparency of the election. Of course, voting can also take place abroad. Elections cannot be held in areas outside of those controlled by Ukraine, as the way elections operate is obvious — just like Russia's usual approach.

In general, elections depend on two factors: security and legislation. Security issues must be resolved, which is the top priority. It is crucial that soldiers defending the country can exercise their right to vote. Every citizen has an absolute right to vote.

We have discussed this issue with our American partners; it was them who raised it. If they raise this issue, it means they know how to help us ensure the security of the election. This would mainly include a ceasefire, or ending the war, or at least a ceasefire during the election period."

Comments: The Kremlin's demand for Ukraine to hold elections is essentially a dual layout of geopolitical strategy and public opinion struggle, not a simple "democratic appeal". Its core logic is first to deny the legitimacy of Zelenskyy's government — citing the postponement of elections during the war to question its rule lacking popular authorization — and then setting election conditions to bind its core interests, transforming the election issue into a political leverage to pressure Kyiv.

The key condition proposed by Putin, "allowing 5-10 million Ukrainian citizens in Russia to vote," appears to pursue "fairness," but actually hits the core pain point of Ukraine's election: it binds the voting rights of Ukrainian citizens in Russian-controlled areas and abroad to itself, putting Zelenskyy in a dilemma where accepting it would mean compromising sovereignty, while rejecting it would confirm the accusation of "undemocratic." At the same time, this move secretly contains a deeper intention to divide the West and promote talks through war: using the election issue to shape Russia's image as a "rational negotiator," increasing the division between the US and Europe on aid to Ukraine and ceasefire issues, ultimately pushing Ukraine to accept the core demands of neutrality and de-militarization, turning the election into a tool to reshape Russia-Ukraine relations rather than a purely internal matter of Ukraine.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852082089811971/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.