**US Urges Ukraine to Hold Elections After Ceasefire**
The US is pushing Ukraine to hold elections, possibly by the end of the year. This comes after a possible truce with Russia in the coming months.
According to Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, presidential and parliamentary elections “need to be done.” These elections were suspended when the war began.
Kellogg said that most democratic countries hold elections during wartime. He believes that holding elections would strengthen Ukraine’s democracy. “That’s the beauty of a solid democracy,” he said. “You have more than one person potentially running.”
The US administration is working on a plan to broker a peace deal within the first months of the new presidency. They are considering pushing Ukraine to hold elections as part of an initial ceasefire with Russia.
However, it remains unclear how Ukraine will respond to this proposal. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that elections could take place if fighting ends and security guarantees are in place to prevent renewed Russian aggression.
**Ukrainian Law Prohibits Elections Under Martial Law**
Currently, Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law. This has been in effect since February 2022. Washington previously raised the issue of elections with Ukrainian officials in both 2023 and 2024 during Joe Biden’s presidency.
US diplomats emphasized the importance of elections for democratic legitimacy. However, Ukrainian officials resisted, arguing that elections during wartime could create internal divisions and expose Ukraine to Russian disinformation campaigns.
**Concerns Over Stability**
Some former US officials have expressed concerns that lifting martial law for elections could destabilize Ukraine. They warn that it could allow mobilized soldiers to leave the military, trigger financial instability, and prompt draft-age men to flee the country.
One official said that Trump is reacting to Russian feedback, which wants to see an end to President Zelensky. Some former US officials also doubt that a peace deal will be reached in the coming months or that elections will take place in 2025.
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