Ukraine War: Trump, Zelensky Discuss Elections & US Security Guarantees
- Kyiv is prepared to hold elections, but only if international partners can guarantee the security of the process, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated.
- Speaking to reporters on December 10, 2025, Zelenskyy indicated a willingness to move forward with a vote within 60 to 90 days if security assurances are provided, specifically...
- Zelenskyy’s five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended since the declaration of martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Kyiv is prepared to hold elections, but only if international partners can guarantee the security of the process, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the timeline for Ukrainian democracy, fuelled by claims from former US President Donald Trump that Ukraine is deliberately delaying elections under the guise of war.
Speaking to reporters on , Zelenskyy indicated a willingness to move forward with a vote within if security assurances are provided, specifically requesting assistance from the United States and other allies. “I’m asking now, and I’m stating this openly, for the US to help me, perhaps together with our European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections,” he said, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rests with the Ukrainian people.
Zelenskyy’s five-year term was due to end in , but elections have been suspended since the declaration of martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion in . The suspension has become a point of contention, with Moscow consistently portraying Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader and demanding new elections as a precondition for any ceasefire agreement – a narrative recently echoed by Trump.
The Ukrainian president dismissed accusations that his government is clinging to power as “frankly, a completely unreasonable narrative,” pointing to his landslide victory in the election, where he secured over of the vote. He acknowledged hearing “hints” about his personal desire to remain in office and the alleged link between this and the continuation of the war, but firmly rejected these claims.
The possibility of elections is also intertwined with ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace. On , Zelenskyy announced that an agreement on US security guarantees for Ukraine is “100 percent ready” to be signed, following talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi. He stated Kyiv is prepared to submit the agreement for ratification by both the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament. This development comes as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators continue to meet, with a third round of US-mediated peace talks scheduled for in Geneva.
While no comprehensive ceasefire agreement has yet emerged from these talks, there have been incremental steps forward, including a temporary pause in attacks on energy infrastructure in late and the first prisoner exchange in five months. However, Zelenskyy has expressed frustration with the lack of a sustained response from Russia, noting that the pause in attacks on infrastructure was short-lived, quickly followed by a barrage of drones and missiles.
The US has reportedly been seeking concessions from Ukraine as part of the negotiations, potentially linked to the timing of elections. Sources suggest Washington is exploring the possibility of holding elections as a step towards a potential interim settlement, though the details remain unclear. Trump has indicated some progress in the talks, but acknowledged that “thorny issues” remain unresolved.
Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s ambition to achieve European Union membership by , framing this as an “economic security guarantee.” This pursuit of closer ties with the EU is occurring alongside the efforts to secure bilateral security guarantees, particularly from the United States.
The situation remains fluid, with the prospect of elections and a potential peace deal heavily dependent on the evolving security situation and the willingness of all parties to compromise. Further discussions are planned in Abu Dhabi next , as both Moscow and Kyiv have signaled their openness to continued dialogue. However, Zelenskyy has stressed that any progress hinges on concrete actions from Russia, rather than mere words.
The timing of these developments is particularly significant as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its fifth year. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with the outcome of the negotiations potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.