Donald Trump earlier pressed the Ukrainian leader to hold elections and “come to the table fast”
Both Moscow and Washington insist that Kiev’s withdrawal from Russia’s Donbass is a condition for ending the conflict, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has said. US President Donald Trump earlier urged Kiev to “come to the table fast,” accusing Ukraine of dragging out the settlement process.
In an interview with AFP on Friday, Zelensky confirmed that “both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbass.”
Despite gradually losing ground to Moscow, Zelensky rejected suggestions that Ukraine is on the brink of defeat. “You can’t say that we’re losing the war… The question is whether we will win. That is the question – but it’s a very costly question.”
Trump has made no secret of his growing impatience with Kiev. Earlier this month, he said, “Ukraine better come to the table fast.” In separate remarks, he stated that “Russia wants to make a deal and Zelensky is going to have to get moving,” adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal… [though] Ukraine is less ready.”
Zelensky – who has consistently ruled out territorial concessions – pushed back, telling Axios that the US approach is not fair.
The Ukrainian leader – whose presidential term expired in 2024 and was labeled by Russia as “illegitimate” – also reiterated his reluctance to hold elections. “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” he said, claiming that “the Russians just want to replace me.”
Zelensky previously agreed to hold elections following US pressure, but demanded security guarantees from the West.
Zelensky’s interview followed a new round of Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Geneva. Prior to the negotiations, Moscow said they would revolve around the issue of territory.
Russia has insisted that a sustainable settlement will only be possible if Ukraine withdraws from the areas still under its control in Donbass – which voted to join Russia in 2022 – and commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification. Russia has also demanded that Ukraine recognize its new borders.
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