Donald Trump recently suggested that Ukraine should hold elections as part of a peace deal with Russia. This remark came after high-level discussions between the U.S. and Russia in Riyadh. In his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump pointed out that Ukraine hasn’t had an election for a while. He mentioned, “You have leadership [in Ukraine] now that’s allowed a war to go on that should have never even happened,” noting the devastation in Ukrainian cities.
He compared these cities to “demolition sites,” describing the destruction as extensive. However, he didn’t comment on Russia’s role in the devastation caused by its invasion, which has been the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Zelenskyy’s term expired last year, but Ukraine has stated that elections can only occur after the war ends and martial law is lifted. Ukraine’s parliament, led by Zelenskyy’s party head David Arakhamia, indicated that elections could take place at least six months after martial law is lifted.
Organizing elections under current conditions would be tough. Many Ukrainians are displaced, either abroad or in areas controlled by Russia. Security remains a serious concern for any potential election, with calls for Western peacekeepers to ensure voter safety.
A recent poll by the International Republican Institute showed that 60% of Ukrainians do not support holding a presidential election during the war, and 52% oppose voting for a new parliament while the conflict continues.
Many in Ukraine and across Europe worry that Trump is keen to settle the war in a way favorable to Russian President Vladimir Putin. There’s a sense that the U.S. may have already conceded significant ground by sidelining Ukraine’s wish to join NATO and restore its territories.
After the talks in Riyadh, Trump expressed more confidence about achieving a peace deal. The meeting lasted four and a half hours and included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who discussed a foundation for future cooperation to end the war.
Zelenskyy criticized the talks for not including Ukraine, stating that any peace agreement must involve Kyiv directly: “Without Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved.” He stressed that Ukraine wouldn’t accept a backdoor settlement.
Trump appeared to be frustrated that Ukraine felt left out of the talks, citing that there have been ample opportunities for them to negotiate a resolution in the past. He also mentioned that he would support sending European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine post-war, although Lavrov rejected the idea outright during the discussions.
While Trump continued to critique Zelenskyy, he acknowledged a personal liking for him, saying, “He’s fine.” However, he emphasized the importance of effectiveness over personal feelings, indicating his focus on tangible results for the ongoing conflict.
