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Ukraine says US push for truce, elections is ‘failed plan’ unless it consists of more

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, New York City, September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Ukraine Responds to U.S. Call for Elections Following Ceasefire

Kyiv, Ukraine – A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed skepticism on Sunday regarding a U.S. proposal for Ukraine to hold elections following a ceasefire with Russia, stating that such a plan alone would be insufficient to deter Moscow.

U.S. Proposal for Elections Amid Ceasefire

Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s top Ukraine official, told Reuters that Washington is encouraging Ukraine to hold elections, possibly by the end of the year, if a ceasefire agreement with Russia can be reached in the coming months.

However, Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to Zelenskiy, voiced concerns about the proposal. “We haven’t seen Mr. Kellogg’s full interview, only a few quotes about the elections, so it’s hard to fully assess his position,” Lytvyn said in a written statement. “But if his plan is just a ceasefire and elections, it is a failed plan – Putin won’t be intimidated by just those two things.”

Kyiv’s Position on Security and Elections

Ukraine has consistently maintained that a ceasefire alone is not a viable solution unless accompanied by security guarantees that would prevent Russia from regrouping and launching another offensive in the future. Under Ukraine’s current martial law, elections are prohibited, a measure imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Lytvyn called for a more comprehensive approach from Ukraine’s key partners, while acknowledging that Trump had previously demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the conflict during discussions with Zelenskiy. “President Trump, in his meetings with President Zelenskiy, spoke deeply and wisely about the situation and what could actually pressure Putin,” he said.

Call for Concrete Action

Despite his reservations about the election proposal, Lytvyn emphasized the urgency of developing a concrete plan to end the war and ensure lasting peace. “It is important to move quickly to real work between teams on a concrete plan,” he stated.

As the war nears its third year, Russia has made territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces have held parts of western Russian regions. Both sides continue to conduct long-range drone strikes beyond the front lines, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict.

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