The National Sports Complex (NSC) Olimpiyskiy has received requests from authorized representatives of two presidential candidates in Ukraine regarding the holding of debate.
"Namely, the request from a representative of presidential candidate Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko is for April 14 and 19, 2019, and from a representative of presidential candidate Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky is for April 19, 2019," the stadium's press service said.
"SE NSC Olimpiyskiy initiated a negotiation process with representatives of the above-mentioned candidates regarding the holding of debate at the sports complex," it said.
Read alsoElection debate must be held April 19 at Public Broadcaster's studio – UA:PBC chief
As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky said on April 3 he was ready to hold the debate with Poroshenko ahead of the April 21 runoff, however, he voiced a number of conditions. In particular, he said it should take place at Kyiv's Olimpiyskiy Stadium with all TV channels being able to air the event live, while both candidates must undergo medical tests to prove there are "no alcohol or drug addicts" among them.
Poroshenko, in turn, said he was waiting for Zelensky at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium on April 14. Zelensky said the debate would be held at the stadium on April 19.
After that, Poroshenko's parliament faction leader Artur Gerasimov said the incumbent president was ready for any date, including April 19, as Zelensky had offered.
Spokesman for Poroshenko's presidential campaign Oleh Medvedev said on April 8 Poroshenko would come to the official debate to the Public Broadcaster's studio on April 19 and if he has enough time, he will also visit the Olimpiyskiy Stadium, where his opponent, Zelensky, offered to hold the debate.
Gerasimov said on April 9 the Poroshenko vs Zelensky debate would have to be held at Kyiv's Olimpiyskiy Stadium on April 14 and at the public broadcaster's studio on April 19.
Olimpiyskiy officials said an application for the debate should be submitted by April 17.
