On 11 October, US President Donald Trump once again called on Ukraine to hold presidential elections, stating that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had allegedly had many opportunities to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. At the same time, the US leader is convinced that Vladimir Putin is seeking a peaceful settlement. Trump made these remarks to journalists upon his return from a trip to the state of Tennessee. His comments came against the backdrop of strained relations between Kyiv and Washington over a US agreement with Russia on the supply of diesel fuel.
- Trump called on Zelenskyy to hold elections.
- The US President has accused Kyiv of dragging out the war.
- Trump said that Putin is seeking an agreement.
Trump called on Zelenskyy to hold presidential elections
Speaking to journalists, the US President stated that Ukraine must hold elections and work more actively towards a peace agreement with Russia.
«I think he needs to hold elections. He could have sorted this out many times,» said Trump.
Earlier, the US President also expressed the view that Ukraine We need a new leader, who is capable of concluding a peace agreement.
At the same time Article 19 of the Law of Ukraine «On the Legal Regime of Martial Law» It expressly prohibits the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections whilst it remains in force. The powers of the incumbent president are not terminated upon the expiry of his five-year term whilst martial law is in force.
Trump said that Putin wants to end the war
The American leader also commented on the Russian president’s position following a recent telephone conversation.
«President Putin is very keen to reach a settlement,» said Trump.
At the same time, he once again placed part of the blame for the lack of an agreement on Zelenskyy, claiming that the Ukrainian president does not want to reach an agreement.
However, following the conversation between Trump and Putin, the Kremlin stated that a swift resumption of the trilateral talks is currently unlikely. Moscow continues to set out its own conditions for ending the war.
Trump’s latest comments came after Washington reached an agreement with Moscow on supply of a Russian diesel engine. Zelenskyy criticised the easing of sanctions, emphasising that Russia could use the additional revenue to continue the war.
