Ukraine: Presidential debate in Kyiv April 19 /update 2

Event

A public debate between the two presidential candidates, Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is scheduled to be held in Kyiv on Friday, April 19. The event will take place at the Olympiskiy Stadium, with a pre-debate program starting at 17:00 (local time). The debate, which will begin at 19:00, is free and open to the public; access to the stadium will open at 16:00. As of Wednesday, April 17, neither candidate has fully agreed to the specifics of the debate. If the event is held, heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around the area. Associated political rallies may also be held during the debate and clashes between rival supporters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

The second round of the presidential elections will be held on Sunday, April 21. Political tensions remain high around the country and additional election-related events are likely to continue nationwide, and associated acts of violence cannot be ruled out. Heightened security measures along the border, particularly with Moldova’s breakaway region Transnistria as well as Russian-annexed Crimea, and around polling station are anticipated in the days leading up to April 21.

Context

Zelensky secured 30 percent of the vote in the first round on March 31, with incumbent President Petro Poroshenko receiving 15 percent and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko 13 percent. According to international observers, the election was broadly free and competitive. Zelenskiy, a comedian and actor, is a political newcomer and was leading in opinion polls leading up to the vote. Poroshenko has seen a drop in popularity in recent months due to graft allegations and ongoing economic challenges.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv, and Ukraine more generally, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.