The United States said on Tuesday it was in favor of preserving a “strong” democracy in Ukraine, but appeared to understand Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s reluctance to hold elections early next year, AFP reported.

The Americans want to know how Ukraine feels about the idea of ​​peace with RussiaPhoto: Shutterstock

All elections, including presidential elections, have been canceled since martial law was imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“This is not the time for elections,” Ukraine’s head of state said on Monday, closing the door on the country’s presidential election and seeking to end a debate between leaders that has been escalating after more than a year and a half of Russian invasion.

If Russia had not invaded in February 2022, parliamentary elections in Ukraine would have been held in October this year, and presidential elections in March 2024.

When asked about Zelensky’s comments, US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the decision not to hold elections “is consistent with their Constitution.”

“It is important to remember that Ukraine found itself in such a situation because Russia continues to wage a large-scale illegal war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are fighting for their survival,” Patel told reporters, condemning the “daily bombing of civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine.”

“We also clearly stated to our Ukrainian partners our commitment to support not only Ukraine in its struggle, but also our commitment to a prudent and constitutional approach to supporting a strong democracy in wartime,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi denied that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had reached a dead end, while admitting that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas “distracted attention” from the war between Ukraine and Russia.

In turn, the spokesman of the State Department denied that the United States pressured Ukraine to start negotiations on ending the war.

“It remains absolutely clear that the Kremlin has no intention of negotiating or ending this war, and we are committed to supporting our Ukrainian partners,” Patel said.

In a letter to Congress published on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged the approval of $11.8 billion in direct budget support to aid Ukraine.

The aid has divided Republicans, who, however, strongly support aid to Israel.