US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham believes that elections should be held in Ukraine next year, even in spite of the Russian invasion.

"My message to the president today is that I am impressed with what you and your country, the men and women, have done. We will continue to fight to keep the weapons coming to you so that you can win a war that we cannot afford to lose. But you must also do two things at the same time. Next year, elections are to be held in Ukraine...

I want this country to have free and fair elections, even when it's under attack," Radio Liberty cites Lindsey Graham at a press conference in Kyiv.

Graham stated that Ukraine has changed because "in the past it was a very corrupt country," but now "Ukrainians are not profiting" from aid.

"We are watching every dollar, every weapon. We continue to do our part. And I am satisfied that the Ukrainians are not taking advantage of the American people. They are helping the American people," Graham said.

"And I believe that it is time for Ukraine to take the next step in the development of democracy, namely to hold elections in 2024."

The next presidential and parliamentary elections should be held in 2024, but no elections are held during martial law.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, also insists on the need for Ukraine to hold parliamentary and presidential elections even under martial law – the Ukrainian authorities must figure out how to respond to this challenge.

Representatives of the Ukrainian authorities assured their colleagues in the Council of Europe that they are preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024, hoping to win the war by then.