New Delhi: Amid a long and devastating conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing two US expectations: first, Donald Trump’s demand for a re-election; second, pressure to make “tough decisions” in peace talks. Trump even accused Zelenskyy in an interview that he was “clinging to power” because the country hasn’t held elections since 2022. In response, Zelenskyy clearly stated that Ukraine’s political future will be decided by the Ukrainian people, not any foreign government or the US.
Zelenskyy made it clear that he had no objection to holding elections
, but that voting in wartime was only possible if security, management, and legal preparedness were fully guaranteed. He stated that if Western allies ensured security, Ukraine could hold elections within three months. Meanwhile, Trump’s statement that “Ukraine is losing, so it must make concessions” further complicated the situation.
US pressure on peace talks, ‘make concessions’ message
Meanwhile, Trump’s comments that Ukraine has suffered losses on the battlefield and that “losing countries have to concede certain things” are being seen as direct pressure on Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms. Zelensky, along with European leaders, is preparing a new, more developed peace proposal, which will soon be submitted to the US administration.
Putin’s Conditions and the Closed Path to Negotiations
The most difficult aspect of the peace process is Russia’s stance. Recently, Vladimir Putin claimed that Zelensky is “no longer the legitimate president” and that any agreement would only begin if Ukraine handed over the entire Donbas region to Russia. Zelensky has already stated that this demand is “completely unacceptable” and that such a proposal will never be considered.
