• U.S. President Donald Trump called for new Ukrainian elections, accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being a “dictator without elections” and mishandling the war and aid.
• Ukraine last held elections in 2019; elections are currently suspended due to martial law since 2022.
• Some U.S. lawmakers support elections but don’t label Zelensky a dictator; Russian officials claim his rule is illegitimate.
• The U.S. proposes a three-stage peace plan: ceasefire, elections and a peace deal.
• Excluding Ukraine from recent Washington-Moscow talks raised concerns about sovereignty and lasting peace.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to hold elections to pave the way for lasting peace and an end to its ongoing war with Russia.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the president suggested that Kyiv should conduct new elections to secure a place in ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law,” he remarked. “The leader – I hate to say it – he’s down to four percent approval rating,” Trump continued, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“It’s a country that’s been blown to smithereens. Most of the cities are laying on their side. 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?'”

In a post on Truth Social the day after the press conference, Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections.” He accused the comedian-turned-president of mismanaging the conflict with Russia and misusing American financial aid.

“A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left,” Trump wrote on Wednesday, Feb. 19. “In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only [Donald] Trump and the [second] Trump administration can do.”

Ukraine last held elections in 2019, which Zelensky won. However, he suspended elections and declared martial law following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. While Zelensky’s term expired in May 2024, he remains the de facto head of state as elections are postponed until the war ends. (Related: Permanent dictator: Zelensky declares NO MORE ELECTIONS in Ukraine until war ends.)

Meanwhile, Russia has called for Ukraine to hold elections, given that Zelensky’s rule as president is “illegitimate” as a result of his term’s expiration. Officials in Moscow have warned that any international treaties signed by Zelensky could face challenges, and have expressed doubt about his ability to secure lasting agreements.

Ukrainian state media claims Zelensky retains significant popular support

Trump’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some Republican lawmakers in Capitol Hill backing the call for elections while refusing to brand Zelensky as a dictator. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is among them.

“We held elections during World War II, Britain held elections during WWII,” Hawley told reporters. “If they’re a democracy, they should hold elections. I don’t think that’s difficult.”

The Missouri senator also acknowledged that while Zelensky is the elected leader of Ukraine, “at a certain point you’ve got to hold elections.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian state media has insisted that Zelensky retains significant popular support, contrary to Trump’s claims. “President Trump, whom we respect as a leader, is unfortunately living in a disinformation space,” the comedian-turned-president remarked. Zelensky also stressed that the decision to postpone elections was due to the ongoing conflict and martial law.

The recent Washington-Moscow talks in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, which did not include representatives from Kyiv or Brussels, have further strained relations. Zelensky expressed concern over the exclusion, warning that “decisions made without Ukraine could undermine the nation’s sovereignty and the prospects for a lasting peace.”

European Union officials have also expressed frustration over the exclusion from the talks. French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with leaders from several European countries and EU institutions to discuss the region’s response. European leaders are considering the deployment of EU troops to Ukraine and increased defense spending, though no concrete decisions have been reached.

Despite these attempts to undermine the negotiations, the U.S. is now “floating” a three-stage plan for peace: a ceasefire, followed by Ukrainian elections and then the signing of a peace deal. This plan was discussed during the talks in Saudi Arabia, which lasted almost five hours.

WWIII.news has more stories about efforts to bring about an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Watch retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, expressing optimism that the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv will end soon.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Putin declares Zelensky illegitimate, stalls peace talks.

Trump’s 100-day plan to end the Ukraine war: A path to peace or a desperate gamble?

U.S. and Russia seek peace in Ukraine, leaving Zelensky in panic over potential aid cuts.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

RT.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com