U.S. President Donald J. Trump has suggested that Ukraine should conduct fresh elections to secure a place in the ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday, Trump explained, “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law… where the leader—I hate to say it—he’s down to four percent approval rating.”
“It’s a country that’s been blown to smithereens. Most of the cities are laying on their side,” the America First leader continued, adding: “I would say that if they want a seat at the table, wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election’?”
“That’s not a Russia thing. That’s something coming from me and coming from many other countries also,” he stressed.
Ukrainian state media contested Trump’s remarks, insisting Zelensky is significantly more popular than Trump suggested. Zelensky, too, argued that Russian sources are misinforming the White House. “President Trump, whom we respect as a leader, is unfortunately living in a disinformation space,” he alleged.
Ukraine last held elections in 2019, and future elections are currently postponed until the war concludes. In the normal course of events, Zelensky’s term would have concluded in May 2024.
Even if fresh elections were held, the results might be questionable, with much of Ukraine now under Russian control and Zelensky having banned at least 12 rival parties, including his main opposition, after accusing them of having Russian sympathies.
