Zelensky agrees to hold elections under pressure from Trump

12/10/2025 / By Belle Carter

President Trump has accused Zelensky of delaying elections to prolong Western aid, framing Ukraine as undemocratic. Zelensky responded by pledging elections within 60-90 days—but only if the U.S. and Europe guarantee security amid wartime risks.
Trump compared Zelensky to P.T. Barnum, claiming he “sold” the West on funding despite territorial losses. He insists Ukraine must compromise or face dwindling U.S. support.
The U.S.-backed peace plan reportedly demands Ukraine cede parts of Donbas, which Zelensky rejects. He warns that agreements made “behind Ukraine’s back” will fail without unified security guarantees.
If elections proceed, former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi (now Ukraine’s U.K. ambassador) could challenge Zelensky, whose leadership is already strained by battlefield losses and Trump’s rhetoric.
Europe fears rushed diplomacy will embolden Russia, while Trump pushes for a deal by Christmas. Zelensky demands ironclad commitments against future Russian aggression, leaving Western unity in doubt.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled his readiness to hold elections. This move comes after sustained pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Ukraine’s democratic legitimacy amid stalled peace talks with Russia.

In a sharp exchange, Trump accused Zelensky of delaying elections to prolong Western aid, while Kyiv insists that security concerns and martial law restrictions must be resolved first. The escalating rhetoric underscores deepening divisions over how—and at what cost—to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

Trump’s ultimatum: Elections or obstruction?

Trump has intensified his demands on Ukraine, framing Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections as evidence of democratic backsliding.

“They haven’t had an election in a long time,” Trump told Politico. “You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”

His remarks included a mocking comparison of Zelensky to P.T. Barnum, the famed showman, suggesting the Ukrainian leader had “sold” the West on continued funding despite losing territory.

As explained by BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, the last election in Ukraine was the presidential election held in 2019, which Zelensky won. Since then, elections have been postponed indefinitely under martial law imposed after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky responded to Trump’s ultimatum by pledging to hold elections within 60 to 90 days—but only if the U.S. and Europe guarantee security for the vote.

“I am ready,” Zelensky said in an audio statement. “I ask the U.S., together with Europe, to ensure security for the vote.”

The concession marks a shift for Zelensky, who had previously resisted calls for elections, citing wartime prohibitions and the risks of Russian interference.

The stumbling block: Territorial concessions

The U.S.-backed peace proposal, reportedly drafted by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, hinges on Ukraine ceding parts of the Donbas region—a nonstarter for Kyiv. Zelensky reiterated his red line in talks with European leaders, telling Bloomberg: “There are visions of the U.S., Russia and Ukraine—and we don’t have a unified view on Donbas.”

Trump has warned that without compromise, Ukraine will face dwindling U.S. support.

“If they don’t read agreements, potential agreements… It’s not easy with Russia because Russia has the upper hand,” Trump said. European leaders, meanwhile, are scrambling to propose alternative security guarantees, though Trump dismissed their efforts as “impotent.”

Political shakeup looms as Zelensky’s leadership tested

Should elections proceed, Zelensky’s political future is uncertain. Former Ukrainian military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now ambassador to the U.K., is seen as a potential challenger after his ouster earlier this year sparked backlash within the armed forces. Trump’s framing of Zelensky as an obstacle to peace could further erode his standing domestically and abroad.

Yet Zelensky remains defiant, insisting any deal must include ironclad commitments from allies to defend Ukraine against future Russian aggression.

“If Russia again starts a war, what will our partners do?” he asked pointedly.

With Trump pushing for a deal by Christmas and Zelensky demanding security assurances, the war’s endgame remains fraught. The prospect of elections introduces new volatility—both for Ukraine’s leadership and for Western unity. As Trump escalates pressure and Zelensky seeks guarantees, the coming weeks may determine whether diplomacy can overcome the entrenched positions that have prolonged this devastating conflict.

Watch the video below that talks about how Zelensky was shamed openly in the EU Parliament.

This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.