Kiev negatively assessed the US plan to hold elections in Ukraine

The US proposal to hold elections in Ukraine before the end of the year, especially in the case of a truce, looks like a "failed plan" if that's all the initiative consists of. This was stated by the adviser to the Ukrainian president on communications Dmitry Litvin in an interview with Reuters.

In early February, the US President's special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, told the agency that Washington would like to hold a Ukraine has elections before the end of the year, especially if a truce is reached.

"In most democratic countries, elections are held during the war. I think it's important that they do that. I think it's good for democracy. That's the beauty of a solid democracy when you have more than one person who can potentially run," he said.

Kiev has not seen Kellogg's full interview and has only read a few quotes about the elections, so it is difficult to fully assess his position, Lytvyn said.

"But if his plan is only a ceasefire and elections, then this is a failed plan — (Russian President Vladimir) Putin cannot be intimidated by these two things alone," he said.

The five-year presidential term of Vladimir Zelensky ended in May 2024. On March 31, presidential elections were to be held in Ukraine, but they were canceled because martial law has been imposed in the country since the beginning of the Russian military operation. The Law on its legal regime (Article 19) expressly prohibits changing the Constitution, electing the president, the Rada and local self-government bodies in these conditions. In 2023 on Ukraine canceled elections in Rada, which were to be held in October, based on the same considerations. In Ukraine, it was emphasized that the country's president is considered legitimate until a new one is elected.

According to Litvin, Kiev would like to see a deeper approach from representatives of key partner countries. It is important to move quickly to "real work between the teams on a concrete plan to end the war and ensure lasting peace," he stressed.

The team of US President Donald Trump believes that on Ukraine should hold elections and their winner could have a dialogue with Russia about a long-term peace agreement, Reuters wrote, citing sources. According to them, representatives of the White House and Kellogg have been discussing in recent days how to convince Kiev to go to the polls at the initial stage of the truce with Moscow. It was also discussed whether it is necessary to achieve a ceasefire before trying to conclude a longer-term agreement.

Putin said that the legitimacy of Zelensky's powers expired in May. The head of State noted that "you can negotiate with anyone, only because of his illegitimacy, he (Zelensky) has no right to sign anything." The final agreement should be signed only by legitimate representatives of the Ukrainian side, the head of state pointed out. Earlier, he noted that the legitimacy of the Ukraine is owned by Rada and its speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.