US Urges Ukraine to Hold Elections Amid Peace Discussions
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to hold elections since his five-year term ended in May 2024. Zelensky has argued that elections cannot occur under martial law, though he noted in December 2025 that legal amendments could make them possible.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the US team—including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—urged Ukrainian officials during meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami to schedule elections soon. Discussions have also included the possibility of holding elections alongside a referendum on a peace deal with Russia, though several insiders described the US-proposed timeline as “fanciful.”
Sources noted that the US is eager to accelerate the process. One source said, “The Americans are in a hurry,” while another stressed that unresolved territorial issues remain a major obstacle to any agreement.
Russia has indicated that it no longer recognizes Zelensky as Ukraine’s legitimate leader, warning that his status could complicate signing a peace deal. President Vladimir Putin suggested in December that Russia might refrain from “deep strikes” on the day an election is held.
Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine would need up to three months to organize elections and secure US-backed guarantees. His political standing has been affected by corruption scandals leading to the resignation of two ministers and his former chief of staff, Andrey Yermak. Recent polls show Zelensky at 62%, trailing former military commander Valery Zaluzhny at 72% and intelligence chief Kirill Budanov at 70%. Budanov replaced Yermak as head of the presidential office last month.
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