Trump and Putin push for Ukrainian elections before a peace deal, sparking outrage from Zelensky. U.S.-Russia talks exclude Ukraine, fueling geopolitical tensions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has called for Ukrainian presidential elections, arguing that Volodymyr Zelensky lacks the legitimacy to negotiate on behalf of the Ukrainian people. Trump cited Zelensky’s declining approval ratings and his use of martial law to remain in power.
The demand has sparked intense geopolitical debate, with critics arguing that holding an election in war-torn Ukraine could destabilize the government and potentially lead to the rise of a pro-Putin candidate who may be willing to accept peace terms favorable to Moscow.
Historic U.S.-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia
Trump’s comments follow a landmark meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met for the first time to discuss a possible end to the war.
After more than four hours of talks, reports emerged that both sides had agreed that Ukraine must hold elections before a final peace settlement can be reached. The meeting was widely criticized by European nations, who accused Trump of rushing into talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without consulting key allies.
Speaking later from Mar-a-Lago, Trump took full credit for the election proposal, saying:
“The demand for a Ukrainian presidential election came from me.”
He elaborated on his reasoning:
“We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where there is martial law—essentially martial law. Zelensky, I mean, I hate to say it, but he’s down to a 4 percent approval rating, and the country has been blown to smithereens…
“If Ukraine wants a seat at the table, shouldn’t the people have a say? It has been a long time since they had an election. That’s not a Russian thing—that’s coming from me and many other countries as well.”
Backlash from Ukraine and European Leaders
Zelensky was not invited to the Saudi Arabia negotiations and, in response, canceled a planned visit to the country. Reacting to the meeting, he expressed outrage:
“Negotiations should not take place behind our backs. Any peace talks must be fair and involve European countries, including Turkey, which has offered to host negotiations.”
Zelensky also insisted that Ukraine, the European Union, Turkey, and the UK must be part of any security discussions with the U.S. regarding the region’s future.
A senior Ukrainian official described the U.S.-Russia meeting as:
“Absolutely mind-blowing and downright infuriating—pure, unbelievable absurdity.”
The developments in Saudi Arabia have also created diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and its European allies.
British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had recently called for Britain and NATO allies to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, now faces uncertainty about whether the U.S. will support such a mission.
After a NATO leaders’ meeting in Paris, Starmer stated he would urge Trump to provide security guarantees when he visits Washington. However, Trump appeared open but indifferent to European intervention, stating:
“That would be fine. I wouldn’t object to it at all.”
Peace Deal Framework: Elections and Ceasefire First
Tuesday’s talks marked a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations, with both countries agreeing to:
- A ceasefire as the first step
- Ukrainian presidential elections, postponed due to martial law
- A final peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow after the election
While Trump has been accused of excluding Zelensky from the process, he defended his decision:
“They had three years to end this war. I hear they’re upset about not having a seat. Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and long before that. This could have been settled very easily.”
“Just a half-baked negotiator could have settled this years ago—without losing much land, without losing any lives, and without entire cities lying in ruins.”
Polls suggest Zelensky’s popularity has dropped from over 70% in 2023 to about 50% in late 2024, with Russia continuing to question his legitimacy after he stayed in office beyond his original term, which was set to end in May 2024.
U.S. Confirms It Will Not Send Peacekeeping Troops
Following mixed signals, U.S. officials confirmed during the Saudi Arabia meeting that the U.S. will not send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
A source close to the White House stated that Trump’s administration believes the war must be resolved diplomatically, rather than through further military engagement.
This decision casts doubt on European peacekeeping efforts, with British Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge raising concerns over Starmer’s proposal to deploy UK troops.
“If Keir Starmer really wants to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine, we need a lot more clarity on how the U.S. would support such a move if they refuse to send their own forces.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also ruled out sending French troops, stating that any deployment would be highly limited and away from combat zones.
Meanwhile, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s opposition to NATO involvement, warning that any ceasefire agreement must include changes to Europe’s security structures.
“Settling this war requires a reorganization of Europe’s defense agreements,” Lavrov stated.
Russia has long demanded NATO’s withdrawal from Eastern Europe, arguing that the alliance poses an existential threat to its borders.
As the war drags into its third year, the push for Ukrainian elections adds a new layer of uncertainty to the conflict.
Trump’s proposed peace framework, which hinges on a Zelensky-led election before any final settlement, is already facing global scrutiny.
With the U.S. and Russia reopening diplomatic ties, the question remains: Will Ukraine be forced into an election that could reshape the war—and its leadership—forever?
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