Trump Urges Zelensky to Negotiate with Russia & Hold Elections Soon

Trump Urges Zelensky to Accelerate Peace Talks, Suggests Elections

President Donald Trump on Friday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to actively pursue a peace agreement with Russia and to hold elections before the summer, signaling increasing pressure on Kyiv to find a resolution to the nearly four-year-long conflict.

“Russia wants to make a deal, and Zelensky is going to have to get moving,” Trump told reporters at the White House, according to reports. He added that Zelensky “has to act or, otherwise, he’s going to miss a great opportunity.”

The remarks come as the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine – February 24, 2022 – approaches. Trump, who has previously expressed a desire to broker peace between the two nations, reiterated his belief that a deal is within reach, but suggested Zelensky needs to demonstrate greater urgency.

Trump’s call for elections in Ukraine adds another layer to the pressure on Zelensky. Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections due to martial law, which has been in effect since 2022. Originally scheduled for March-April 2024, the elections have been postponed indefinitely.

Reports indicate that Washington has been urging Zelensky to announce a date for elections, with the Financial Times and other outlets reporting on discussions regarding a potential spring announcement. However, Zelensky has consistently maintained that elections cannot be held without a ceasefire and sufficient security guarantees for Ukrainian citizens, including those displaced by the war and soldiers on the front lines.

Zelensky, speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, reportedly responded to Trump’s comments by stating that “Russia is not not winning” the war and called for stronger sanctions against Moscow. He specifically mentioned the potential for “total sanctions” by NATO allies, referencing Trump’s previous sanctions on Lukoil and suggesting further action targeting Russian energy, including nuclear energy. Zelensky also suggested that individuals with assets and family in the United States should be compelled to return to Russia.

According to sources, Zelensky believes a successful resolution to the conflict would be a significant political victory for Trump, potentially bolstering his chances in the upcoming midterm elections. “I think there is no greater victory for Trump than to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Zelensky reportedly told a reporter. “For his legacy, it’s No. 1.” He also suggested that ending the war before the midterms would be particularly advantageous for Republicans.

In December 2025, Trump stated that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” following a meeting with Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago and a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At that time, Trump indicated that the two sides had agreed on approximately 95% of the issues needed to end the war. Zelensky echoed this sentiment, stating that a 20-point peace plan was 90% agreed upon, with U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees fully agreed upon.

However, despite these apparent advances, a comprehensive peace deal remains elusive. Trump has also previously urged Zelensky to be more willing to negotiate, suggesting that Russia holds a stronger negotiating position. In December 2025, he stated Ukraine should hold elections, a sentiment he reiterated on Friday.

The upcoming days are expected to see further discussions on the conflict, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to meet with Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.