Putin Proposes Elections In Annexed Ukrainian Regions

President Vladimir Putin stated that parliamentary elections, scheduled for September, must be transparent, reliable, and reflect the will of the people. He said that honest elections create a stable foundation for timely decisions in the country's interest. The President indicated a need for increased attention to the organization of voting in all regions. These remarks were made during annual meetings of the FSB, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General's Office, and the Security Council. The focus is on ensuring security for the 2026 elections. Vladimir Putin directed officials to implement security measures in new regions ahead of upcoming State Duma elections. The President said that the safety of all voters must be a priority during security meetings. Measures are intended to facilitate participation for military personnel involved in special operations. No specific timeline for the elections was provided in the report. President Vladimir Putin held a government meeting on April 28 to discuss holding lower house elections in unilaterally annexed eastern and southern Ukrainian territories.