ISTANBUL

Russia on Wednesday said it will “see how things develop” after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement on being “ready” to hold a presidential election if security is ensured.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the issue of holding elections in Ukraine is something Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been talking about for a long time,” and that US President Donald Trump has also “recently talked about” the issue.

"We'll see how things develop in this direction,” Peskov said, adding that Moscow has yet to discuss the issue with “anyone,” including the US.

"We are working for peace, not a truce. A sustainable, guaranteed, long-term peace, achieved through the signing of relevant documents, is an absolute priority," Peskov said regarding Zelenskyy's remarks on Ukraine's readiness for an energy ceasefire if Russia also agrees.

Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he is "ready" to hold a presidential election within 60-90 days if security and legal conditions are ensured, urging the US and European partners to help create the environment needed for a wartime vote.

His remarks came after Trump told Politico in an interview on Monday that it was “time” for Ukraine to hold an election, arguing Kyiv was “using war" to avoid a presidential vote and warning that the absence of a ballot for a prolonged period risks undermining Ukraine’s democracy.

Zelenskyy rejected the claims that Kyiv is avoiding a vote for political advantage, arguing the continuation of the over three-and-a-half-year Ukraine war “is unrelated to who holds office.”

He said decisions on holding elections belong solely to Ukrainians, stressing that the issue was not raised in his recent contacts with American officials.

The Ukrainian president added that he has already asked lawmakers to prepare legislative changes allowing elections during wartime, urging the US and European partners to help create the security environment required under Russian attacks.

The Kremlin spokesman also touched further on Trump's interview with Politico, saying Moscow "carefully" reviewed the US president's interview, particularly the section on the Ukraine peace process.

"In many ways, President Trump touched on the root causes of this conflict [during the interview]," Peskov said, adding that his statement on the topics of Ukraine's NATO membership and the issue of territories "resonates with our understanding."

"This is very important in terms of the prospects for a peaceful settlement," he said.