US Wants Ukraine To Hold Elections Following Ceasefire

Zelensky's term expired in May 2024 but he's remains in power since he didn't hold elections

President Trump’s envoy to the Ukraine war, Keith Kellogg, has said the US will push for elections in Ukraine following any ceasefire deal with Russia.

“Most democratic nations have elections in their time of war. I think it is important they do so,” Kellog told Reuters. “I think it is good for democracy. That’s the beauty of a solid democracy, you have more than one person potentially running.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s term in office expired in May 2024, but he remained in power since he didn’t hold elections. Ukraine’s parliament has also been due for an election since October 2023.

Ukrainian officials have justified not holding an election by pointing to Ukraine’s constitution, which prohibits elections during martial law. Martial law was first declared when Russia invaded and has been extended since.

However, Zelensky made it clear at one point that he could hold a vote if he wanted to, suggesting that it could happen if the US and other Western countries paid for it. But, the Biden administration did not put any pressure on Zelensky to hold an election and helped justify the decision.

Trump reportedly gave Kellogg 100 days to reach a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, but it’s unclear when a ceasefire might happen. The Reuters report suggested that one possibility was reaching a truce and then holding elections, so whoever wins would be the one negotiating a lasting deal with Russia.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.