Berlin – The German government maintains that the timing and feasibility of potential elections in Ukraine remain solely the prerogative of the Ukrainian people and their elected officials, a position underscored by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent suggestion of a possible vote within 60 to 90 days despite ongoing martial law.
Speaking to the German news agency dts, Deputy Government Spokesperson Steffen Meyer stated that Berlin had “taken note” of Zelenskyy’s announcement, emphasizing the necessary preconditions, particularly regarding security, for any electoral process. He explicitly acknowledged the president’s awareness of the precarious circumstances.
Meyer further clarified that the Ukrainian parliament would now be tasked with examining the legal and political requirements for holding elections, highlighting the German government’s firm stance that Zelenskyy represents the legitimately elected head of state. “All further steps must be autonomously decided there” he added, pointing to the need for Ukrainian agency in navigating a deeply complex situation.
Pressed on the possibility of concrete German contributions towards security guarantees that could facilitate elections, Meyer offered a cautious response, indicating that discussions on potential support would likely occur “in the coming hours, days and weeks”. This ambiguous phrasing avoids any commitment from Berlin, reflecting the delicate balance between supporting Ukrainian sovereignty and acknowledging the significant logistical and security challenges that would accompany a vote during wartime.
The government’s stance, while ostensibly supportive of Ukrainian autonomy, has drawn criticism from some quarters suggesting a reluctance to actively contribute to the conditions necessary for elections. Observers point to the inherent limitations imposed by Germany’s cautious foreign policy and concerns regarding potential escalatory effects of any perceived exertion of external influence in the ongoing conflict. The vagueness surrounding potential security assistance further fuels this critique, leaving the onus firmly on Kyiv to demonstrate a viable path towards a credible electoral process.