President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the holding of a nationwide poll on October 25 is an important event, as the introduction of real democracy was one of the points of his election program.
"I am very interested and for me the opinion of people is important. Because democracy is what I promised in my election program. The draft law on the referendum is ready for the second reading. That is why such questions are very important for me personally. I want to feel the people," the President said in the interview “Autumn 2020: Victories and Challenges” for four Ukrainian TV channels.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that this poll will not have any legal consequences, but the opinion of citizens will give him as the President of Ukraine an additional argument to initiate appropriate changes to the legislation.
"I will understand the answer of the people, talk to the deputies and offer such positions," the President said.
The President pointed out that such a poll will provide an opportunity to find out the opinion of as many people as possible.
"What is a sociological poll? This is a selection… The President makes a serious exit poll. I want to get results, answers from millions of people, and the selection is two thousand people," he said.
The President cited the example that the affirmative answer of the majority of Ukrainians to the question of legalization of medical cannabis to reduce pain of the seriously ill patients could be the main argument for MPs to vote for appropriate changes to the law.
"Electorally, they will see that people support it. Then, as President, already having a sociology, I will not be afraid of anything, I will submit this bill and I will know that I have the support of both the Rada and the people," he said.
Regarding the next actions of the Ukrainian authorities in case citizens approve the possibility of using the provisions of the Budapest Memorandum to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he cannot disclose details yet.
"Today I am working to completely revive the state of Ukraine - independent, capable of defending itself. That's why it's no coincidence that we have new naval bases. It is no coincidence that I am signing strategic agreements that the state of Ukraine did not have. With Great Britain, with Turkey. I want to do it with some other countries as well," he said.
At the same time, the Head of State clarified that it is not a question of the possibility of restoring Ukraine's nuclear potential.
"We are talking about the fact that everyone must fulfill their agreements. Otherwise, you and I will not be "at the table", as they say in European countries, but will always be people who ask to give more loans, give a boat, give another bulletproof vest, give more masks, when we have COVID-19," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The President of Ukraine assured that no funds will be allocated from the state budget for the national poll on October 25.
"Not at the expense of the state and not at the expense of oligarchic structures. You will see everything. The answer is always either official or in the declaration of the President of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.