Trump Advises Zelensky to Be 'Realistic' on Ukraine Peace Deal, Raises Election Concerns
On Tuesday, Zelensky said that he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine if security was provided against Russian drone and missile attacks.
US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reassess Kyiv's expectations from a proposed peace plan to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. During a phone call with European leaders, Trump expressed skepticism about Ukraine's election timeline, asking when the next polls would take place.
The US president also reiterated his earlier call for Ukraine to hold elections, citing the country's prolonged lack of democratic processes. Trump pointed out that Ukraine's current situation does not align with democratic values, especially given the ongoing martial law which has been in effect since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Zelensky has previously stated his willingness to hold new elections if security can be guaranteed against Russian attacks. However, Ukraine's constitution does not allow national elections during martial law. To address this, Zelensky has asked lawmakers to propose amendments to the law on elections during martial law.
The international community, including Germany, France, and the UK, has urged Trump to facilitate a meeting with the US and Ukraine to discuss the peace deal and election timeline. Trump has indicated that the US will consider this proposal, depending on further discussions with European leaders.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides holding differing views on the peace plan and election process.
