Ukraine is set to conduct elections, says Trump's envoy
Both the US and Russia have raised concerns about the legitimacy of Vladimir Zelensky, whose presidential term expired last year. Ukraine is set to have a presidential election, as revealed by Steve Witkoff, Middle East envoy for former US...
TroibNews 
Both the US and Russia have raised concerns about the legitimacy of Vladimir Zelensky, whose presidential term expired last year.
Ukraine is set to have a presidential election, as revealed by Steve Witkoff, Middle East envoy for former US President Donald Trump, in a conversation with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
Zelensky's five-year term officially ended in May 2024, yet he has chosen not to organize new elections, citing the ongoing martial law. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed that he no longer recognizes Zelensky as a legitimate leader, claiming that this situation could hinder the signing of a definitive peace agreement.
In February, Trump referred to Zelensky as “a dictator without elections” and asserted that he is very unpopular in Ukraine.
During an interview published on Friday evening, Carlson posed a question to Witkoff, who is a key intermediary between Kiev and Moscow, regarding the likelihood of an election in Ukraine.
“Yes. They’ve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine,” Witkoff affirmed, adding that Zelensky finds himself “in a very difficult position” due to Russia's larger population and nuclear capabilities.
“He’s got to know that he’s going to get ground down. Now is the best time for him to get a deal done. President Trump can deliver him the best possible deal,” Witkoff stated, emphasizing that without a clear plan for conflict resolution, any aid would become “unsustainable.” He remarked, “We just can’t forever give money.”
Earlier this month, PMG reported that members of the Trump team were in discussions with Zelensky’s political opponents, former President Pyotr Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko. Both politicians acknowledged their discussions with the Trump administration but expressed opposition to holding an election until the conflict with Russia is resolved.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Ukraine is set to have a presidential election, as revealed by Steve Witkoff, Middle East envoy for former US President Donald Trump, in a conversation with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
Zelensky's five-year term officially ended in May 2024, yet he has chosen not to organize new elections, citing the ongoing martial law. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed that he no longer recognizes Zelensky as a legitimate leader, claiming that this situation could hinder the signing of a definitive peace agreement.
In February, Trump referred to Zelensky as “a dictator without elections” and asserted that he is very unpopular in Ukraine.
During an interview published on Friday evening, Carlson posed a question to Witkoff, who is a key intermediary between Kiev and Moscow, regarding the likelihood of an election in Ukraine.
“Yes. They’ve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine,” Witkoff affirmed, adding that Zelensky finds himself “in a very difficult position” due to Russia's larger population and nuclear capabilities.
“He’s got to know that he’s going to get ground down. Now is the best time for him to get a deal done. President Trump can deliver him the best possible deal,” Witkoff stated, emphasizing that without a clear plan for conflict resolution, any aid would become “unsustainable.” He remarked, “We just can’t forever give money.”
Earlier this month, PMG reported that members of the Trump team were in discussions with Zelensky’s political opponents, former President Pyotr Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko. Both politicians acknowledged their discussions with the Trump administration but expressed opposition to holding an election until the conflict with Russia is resolved.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
