U.S. pushes Ukraine to hold elections amid war, raising questions of legitimacy and peace prospects

By bellecarter // 2025-02-03

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The United States, through President Donald Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg, is urging Ukraine to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of the year as part of efforts to broker a truce with Russia.
Russia questions Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's legitimacy, arguing his term expired in May 2024 and that he lacks authority to sign binding agreements, complicating peace negotiations.
Ukraine's constitution prohibits elections under martial law, which is in effect until February 2025. Zelensky insists elections require an end to fighting and robust security guarantees, while critics warn they could destabilize Ukraine further.
Russia views elections as a precondition for serious negotiations, with President Putin suggesting Zelensky lacks a mandate for binding agreements. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of using the issue to disrupt talks and undermine potential peace deals.
The U.S. proposal remains in the early stages, with debates over whether to prioritize a ceasefire or elections. Skepticism persists about Russia's willingness to negotiate, and Zelensky seeks international security guarantees to ensure any truce holds.

The United States is urging Ukraine to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, potentially by the end of this year, as part of a broader effort to broker a truce with Russia, according to a report by Reuters. The proposal, spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, has sparked debate over the feasibility and implications of holding elections during wartime. The push comes as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term officially expired in May 2024, faces questions about his legitimacy from Moscow. Russia has repeatedly stated that Zelensky no longer has the authority to sign binding international agreements, complicating efforts to negotiate a lasting peace. While the U.S. has yet to formally request elections, the idea has been discussed within the Trump administration as a potential step toward ending the conflict that has raged since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In an interview with Reuters, Kellogg emphasized the importance of elections, even in wartime. "Most democratic nations have elections in their time of war. I think it is important they do so," he said. "I think it is good for democracy. That's the beauty of a solid democracy, you have more than one person potentially running." The proposal, however, faces significant hurdles. Ukraine's constitution prohibits holding elections under martial law, which has been in place since February 2022 and was recently extended until February 2025. Zelensky has previously stated that elections could only occur if the fighting ends and robust security guarantees are in place to deter further Russian aggression. Critics argue that holding elections now could destabilize Ukraine further. A former Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that lifting martial law could lead to a mass exodus of draft-age men, a depletion of hard currency reserves and political infighting. "It would make Zelensky a lame duck, diluting his power and influence and fueling jockeying by potential challengers," the official said.

Russia's stance: A trap or a path to peace?

Moscow has seized on the election issue to question Zelensky's legitimacy. Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly stated that Zelensky cannot sign binding agreements without a renewed electoral mandate. "It's possible to negotiate with anyone," Putin said earlier this week, "but any agreement would be a very serious question and must guarantee the security of both Ukraine and Russia for a serious period of time." (Related: HUGE: Putin claims 2020 election fraud in U.S. sparked Ukraine war, calls for peace talks with Trump.) A Ukrainian government source accused Putin of using the election issue as a pretext to disrupt negotiations. "He is setting a trap, claiming that if Ukraine doesn't hold elections, he can later ignore any agreements," the source said. The Kremlin has denied receiving any formal proposals from the U.S. regarding elections or a ceasefire. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax on Jan. 27 that direct contacts between Moscow and the Trump administration have not yet begun. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry is still awaiting U.S. approval for its new ambassador to Washington, a position that remains vacant. The Trump administration's plan remains in its early stages, with no concrete policy decisions made. Officials are reportedly debating whether to push for an initial ceasefire before attempting to broker a more permanent agreement. If elections were held, the winner could be tasked with negotiating a long-term peace deal with Moscow. However, skepticism abounds. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor noted that Putin has shown little willingness to engage in serious negotiations. "The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Putin is open to talks without preconditions, but actions speak louder than words," Taylor said. Zelensky, for his part, has sought U.S. and European security guarantees as part of any deal, including the deployment of foreign military forces to ensure Russia adheres to a truce. Yet, with both sides seemingly at odds over how to begin formal talks, the prospect of a near-term resolution appears slim. UkraineWitness.com has more stories similar to this. Watch the video below where Trump's envoy says the Russia-Ukraine conflict will come to an end. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Russia's stance: A trap or a path to peace?

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