US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should hold elections despite its ongoing war with Russia. He made the remarks in an interview published by Politico. Trump claimed Kyiv was “using war” to avoid national polls. Ukraine postponed elections under martial law after Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
Trump said Ukrainians “should have that choice,” arguing that prolonged delays undermine democratic norms. He added that a country “gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore” if elections remain suspended. Ukraine would have held a presidential election in March 2024 without martial law.
Trump says Moscow holds the advantage
Trump repeated criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said the Ukrainian leader had not read a US plan to end the war. Trump said it would be “nice” if Zelenskyy reviewed the proposal because “a lot of people are dying.” He also claimed Moscow currently holds the “upper hand” because Russia is “much bigger.”
Pressed on whether Ukraine has lost the war, he said the country had already lost territory long before he took office. He added that losses continued during the past ten months.
Tense negotiations continue amid European support
The comments came after several days of talks between US and Ukrainian officials. The discussions ended without a breakthrough. Zelenskyy said further negotiations would continue in pursuit of “real peace.” European leaders expressed support for Kyiv in London on Monday. Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine has “no right” to surrender territory claimed by Moscow.
Trump said part of the conflict’s difficulty stems from the deep hostility between Zelenskyy and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He said their mutual dislike makes negotiations extremely difficult.
He also criticised Europe’s efforts to end the war. Trump said European states “talk but don’t produce,” claiming the conflict has stretched on for four years.
