Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says that, if he were in Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s place, he would call fresh elections in one month with international observers present.
"Let's imagine that I am confident about myself, I am confident in the people’s vote, that I am a confident person. How can I calm everyone down?" Zelenskiy said.
"I would definitely say: ‘In one month there will be a new vote. And I am running for the new election. Whoever wants to run -- go ahead!'"
He added that he would invite in "all international observers."
Euronews released excerpts of the interview on August 23 ahead of the broadcast of the full interview on August 25.
The Ukrainian leader's remarks came after the European Union and other Western countries said they did not recognize the result of an August 9 presidential election giving Lukashenka 80 percent of the vote.
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate, has claimed that she was the true winner. She has since departed for Lithuania, saying she fears for her safety, amid mass protests in Minsk and other cities.
Zelenskiy said any candidate should be allowed to run in a repeat election.
"I’d tell the people of Belarus: 'Please, elect whoever you want,'" he said. "And after that result, there would be no more questions. I'm convinced about it."
It would be a way to avoid bloodshed, he said and would "be fair and would make history."
Zelenskiy Says Fresh Election In Belarus With Observers Would Calm Political Crisis
Related
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Exclusive: The TikTok Trail Of The U.S. Soldier Arrested In Russia Left By His Russian 'Wife'
2Kazakh Billionaire Buys English Soccer Club
32 U.S. Citizens, Including Soldier, Join List Of Americans Being Held In Russia
4Kazakh Ex-Minister Insists In Court He Had No Intention To Kill Wife
5North Macedonia Ruling Party Concedes As Opposition Wins Dual Votes
6Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras Are Spreading Across Eastern Europe, Despite Security Concerns
7All 5 Central Asian Leaders To Attend Victory Day Parade In Moscow
8North Macedonia's New President Prefers The Country's Old Name
9What Is Behind Serbia And China's 'Ironclad Friendship'?
10Putin Inaugurated In Ceremony Marked By Western Boycott
Subscribe
