Kremlin: Russia must hold 2024 presidential vote on schedule despite Putin ally comment

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with newly elected regional governors, including heads of the four regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia, via a video link in Moscow, Russia, September 28, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin believes Russia's presidential and parliamentary elections should be held on schedule irrespective of the "special military operation" in Ukraine, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted on Monday as saying.

"We proceed from President (Vladimir) Putin's statement... (where he) emphasised the need to comply with all the requirements of democracy, the constitution and, accordingly, to hold these elections," Interfax news agency quoted Peskov as saying.