Ukrainian Central Election Commission

However, according to Sputnik, Zelensky, who has not even yet taken office, has already "fired" shots across Russia's bow by saying his first task as the new president of Ukraine would be to secure the release of military prisoners who have been in Russian custody after the Kerch Strait incident last year.

"Pro-European parties" lead in Ukraine election

MOSCOW -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that the holding parliamentary elections in Ukraine provided "an opportunity for peace in the east."

However, a statement noted that a large number of "nationalists" in parliament could undermine this process, RIA Novosti reported.

Ukrainian former heavyweight boxer and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko has announced he will run for president at the elections scheduled for May 25.

He declared his bid on the first day of the election campaign, which started on Tuesday as the Ukrainian Central Election Commission posted a deadline until 4 April for registration of candidates.