Britain is to help Ukraine run its first set of elections following the end of its war with Russia, with the two countries’ election oversight bodies signing a new pact. Britain and Ukraine’s electoral commissions agreed a memorandum of understanding in London on Tuesday, which will help bolster the country’s electoral process.
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s invasion in 2022, meaning the country hasn’t held elections for over three years. In the Oval Office on Monday, president Volodymyr Zelensky fielded renewed questions about when he would next allow voters a say over their country’s leadership. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian Electoral Commission confirmed the new pact would help “promote our co-operation and, through the exchange of experience and the adoption of best practices, will help to strengthen democratic values in Ukraine”.
In a move it branded a “landmark moment”, it added this would include helping with voting from abroad, with millions of Ukrainians still living as refugees in foreign countries, as well as combatting disinformation.
Fears of Russian interference in the next Ukrainian elections will inevitably loom large over the campaign.
The Express understands the help could also stretch to campaign finance regulations, security of cast ballots and candidates.
Chairman Oleh Didenko added the memorandum “will enable us to prepare effectively and efficiently for the most challenging elections in our country’s history.”
Chief executive of the UK Electoral Commission Vijay Rangarajan said: “We are proud to welcome our colleagues and friends from Ukraine to the UK and sign this agreement of co-operation. There is a lot that we can learn from each other, and deepening the ties between us will help us share expertise and learning in the coming years.
“The delivery of well-run elections that command public confidence and trust is crucial to a healthy and free democracy. We stand ready to support Ukraine as it prepares for future post-war elections.”
At the White House, Mr Zelensky was asked whether he would hold elections once the war with Russia was over.
He replied: “Yes, of course, we are open to election, yes. We have to do safety in circumstances, and a little bit, we need to work in parliament because during the war, you can’t have elections.”
Donald Trump joked that not being able to have elections during a war would be “good” for him in three and a half years from now, as he is not currently eligible to stand for election at the end of his current second term in office.
The Ukrainian premier was elected in 2019 with a landslide majority, and had the war not broken out, would have been up for re-election last year.
He has not yet announced any intentions to stand for election again.
His current approval rating stands at around 67%, one of the highest for a European leader.