Trump administration eyes Ukraine elections linked to ceasefire
The United States wants Ukraine to hold elections later this year if an agreement is reached with Russia, Reuters reports.
The United States, according to the Reuters agency, is advocating for elections in Ukraine if Kyiv reaches an agreement with Russia regarding a ceasefire. A senior official from President Donald Trump's circle emphasizes that the elections could take place later this year.
Donald Trump and his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, are working on a plan to end the war that began in February 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The plan includes negotiating an agreement in the first months of the new administration.
Trump's plan is still developing, and political decisions have not yet been finalized. However, as reported by Reuters, the White House is considering urging Ukraine to agree to elections as part of an initial truce with Russia. Two people familiar with the discussions confirm this information.
Preliminary ceasefire?
Trump's circle is also debating the possibility of a preliminary ceasefire before negotiating a permanent agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. Reuters notes that presidential elections in Ukraine could produce a leader responsible for long-term negotiations with Russia.
It is unclear how the proposal will be received in Kyiv. A source in the Ukrainian government conveyed that the Trump administration has not yet formally approached Ukraine with a request to hold presidential elections by the end of the year. Volodymyr Zelensky's term ends in 2024. However, holding elections is currently impossible due to the martial law imposed in 2022.
Source: Reuters
