Ukraine’s Zelensky says he is ready to hold elections if the US helps provide security, as he prepares revised war proposals for Washington.
ROME: President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to hold new elections in Ukraine if security can be assured.
He stated he expects to send Washington revised proposals for ending the war with Russia within a day.
“We are working today (Tuesday) and will continue tomorrow (Wednesday). I think we will hand it over tomorrow,” Zelensky told reporters.
US President Donald Trump is pressuring Kyiv to accept a Washington-formulated deal, criticised by allies as overly favourable to Russia.
Trump accused Kyiv of “using war” to avoid elections, which have been postponed under martial law since Russia’s invasion.
“You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore,” Trump said.
Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law, which prevented a presidential ballot scheduled for March 2024.
Following Trump’s comments, Zelensky said he was ready to organise a new ballot.
“I am ready for the elections,” Zelensky told journalists.
He said he is asking lawmakers to prepare proposals for amending election laws during martial law.
Zelensky declared he is asking the United States, possibly with European colleagues, to help ensure security for holding elections.
He spent recent days shuttling between European capitals to hammer out a response to the US plan.
Washington’s proposals involved Ukraine surrendering the entire Donbas region for security promises short of NATO membership.
Zelensky said the initial 28-point US plan was revised to 20 points after weekend talks.
He identified the land issue and international security guarantees as main sticking points.
“Do we envision ceding territories? We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky said.
During a televised event, President Vladimir Putin called Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region Russia’s “historical territory”.
Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office, recently slapping new sanctions on Russian oil firms.
In an interview, Trump criticised Europe’s role, saying: “They talk but they don’t produce.”
Pope Leo XIV warned that seeking a peace agreement without including Europe is unrealistic.
“The war is in Europe, and I think that Europe must be part of the guarantees we are seeking for security today and in the future,” the Pope said. – AFP
