Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he was ready to call elections in the country – something that has not happened since he was elected in 2019, amid the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian leader’s statement came hours after critical comments from US President Donald Trump, who said the Eastern European country’s government was using the conflict as a way to avoid leaving power. Zelensky also promised to present on Wednesday a revised version of the peace proposal developed within the framework of the American dialogue.
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— I am ready for elections — the Ukrainian president told journalists, adding that he had already asked deputies to prepare “proposals on the possibility of changing the legislative foundations and electoral law during martial law.”
The Ukrainian government is under intense pressure on the battlefield and at the diplomatic negotiating table. After relying for years on strong American support under Joe Biden’s administration, kyiv saw the White House change lines with Trump and demand that the Ukrainian side agree to make concessions to Russia, despite having suffered aggression.
In an interview this Tuesday with the site PolicyThe Republican said Ukraine should hold elections and expressed displeasure with Zelensky for his resistance to agreeing to terms for peace with Russia.
— They are using war to avoid holding elections, but I think the Ukrainian people should have this opportunity, — Trump said. — We talk about democracy, but there comes a time when it is no longer a democracy.
Without martial law, Ukrainian presidential elections would have taken place in March 2024.
The alleged democratic degradation in Ukraine is not the only point attacked by the Republican this Tuesday. Trump also said it was time for Zelensky to “move on” and start “accepting things” because he believes that Russia, being bigger and stronger, could win militarily. He also reiterated criticism on Sunday that Ukraine’s leader was not genuinely engaged in peace talks.
— It would be good if he read (the peace plan) — Trump said, accusing Zelensky of not having knowledge of the most recent version of the proposal negotiated by the United States. —A lot of people die. So it would be great if he read it.
Still in his conversation with journalists, Zelensky announced this Tuesday afternoon that he was finalizing a revision of the latest peace plan presented by American mediators. The president said he hoped to deliver the new text to the Americans on Wednesday.
— We work today (Tuesday) and we will continue tomorrow (Wednesday). I think we will deliver it tomorrow,” he said.
The main obstacle to the current peace negotiations in Ukraine concerns the transfer of territories from kyiv to Moscow. The Russian side wants Ukrainian forces to withdraw from all annexed provinces, including territories not yet conquered. The Ukrainians, supported by their European allies, believe that a freeze on the current front line would be a more appropriate starting point for a first stage of peace talks.
Looking for European support
Zelensky has spent recent days traveling between European capitals to craft a response to the U.S. plan. On Monday, he met with leaders in London and Brussels. On Tuesday, he traveled to Italy to meet Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Also on Monday, Zelensky said Washington’s 28-point plan had been revised to 20 points following negotiations between the United States and Ukraine over the weekend. He said the territorial issue and international security guarantees were two of the main points of contention.
—Are we considering abandoning territories? We do not have the legal right to do so, according to Ukrainian law, our Constitution and international law. And we have no moral rights either,” Zelensky said. — The key is what our partners will be ready to do in the event of further aggression from Russia. We have not received any answer to this question so far. (With AFP)
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