The United States has urged Ukraine to conduct elections by the end of the year, especially if Kyiv can reach a ceasefire agreement with Russia in the coming months.

Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, stated that the suspended presidential and parliamentary elections “must occur.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that elections could occur this year if fighting ends and strong security guarantees are provided to prevent Russia from resuming hostilities.

Zelensky’s five-year term is set to end in 2024, but elections cannot be held under the martial law imposed in Ukraine since February 2022.