The United States is pushing for Ukraine to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of the year, provided Kyiv reaches a ceasefire agreement with Russia, according to Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
Kellogg emphasized the importance of elections, arguing that democratic nations often hold polls even during wartime. He noted that the Trump administration is working on a strategy to end the war in its early months but has yet to finalize details.
Sources close to the administration said discussions are ongoing about linking a ceasefire to elections, potentially allowing a new Ukrainian leader to negotiate a long-term peace deal.
The Ukrainian government has yet to receive a formal request from the Trump administration regarding elections. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has previously stated that elections could take place if hostilities end and security guarantees are in place to prevent further Russian aggression.
However, Ukrainian officials have resisted calls for immediate elections, warning that holding a vote under martial law could destabilize the country and expose it to Russian influence operations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Zelenskiy’s legitimacy due to the absence of elections, claiming the Ukrainian leader lacks the authority to sign any binding agreements. However, Moscow has insisted that it is open to negotiations without preconditions.
Under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held during martial law, which was imposed in February 2022. Some Western officials caution that lifting martial law could lead to political instability, an economic crisis, and a military exodus as mobilized soldiers return to civilian life. Critics argue that pushing for elections now could inadvertently serve Russia’s interests by weakening Zelenskiy’s leadership.
While Trump’s team explores pathways to a ceasefire and elections, skepticism remains about the feasibility of a peace deal in the short term. Former U.S. officials note that Russia and Ukraine remain deeply divided on negotiations, making any agreement uncertain.
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