Elections following the ceasefire: A new formula from the USA.

A ceasefire on the front in Ukraine, followed by elections, is the formula proposed by the United States. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine under President Donald Trump, Kurt Volker, stated that the U.S. would like elections to take place, possibly by the end of the year, after a proposed ceasefire agreement. Volker told Reuters that it is essential to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

U.S. Position

“In most democratic countries, elections are held during wartime. I believe this is important. I think it’s good for democracy. This is the beauty of a strong democracy: you have more than one potential candidate,” Volker stated.

As noted by Reuters, Trump’s peace plan is still in the development stage, and no political decisions have been made yet, but Volker and other White House officials have recently discussed how to “push Ukraine towards agreeing to elections as part of an initial ceasefire with Russia,” according to agency sources.

The Trump team is also debating whether to seek an initial ceasefire before attempting to negotiate a permanent agreement. If elections are held, the winner may be responsible for negotiations with Russia regarding a long-term settlement, Reuters’ sources said.

The agency, citing a “senior advisor” from the President's Office and a source within the Ukrainian government, reports that the Trump administration has not officially asked Ukraine to hold presidential elections by the end of the year.

“According to a former Western official, if Trump pressures Zelensky to agree to elections, Washington would be playing into recent statements by Putin that question the legitimacy of the Ukrainian leader,” the report states.

The former Western official also mentioned that if the U.S. achieves the lifting of martial law in Ukraine, mobilized soldiers will leave the army, more men of conscription age will “rush to the border,” and there will also be a capital outflow from the country.

Is Peace Close?

President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a one-hour interview to journalists from the American news agency Associated Press, stating that peace in Ukraine is closer than ever after three years of full-scale Russian invasion. He also deemed it dangerous to negotiate an end to the war without the involvement of Ukrainian representatives.

“We are fighting, we are living, we are doing everything to bring peace closer. We are closer to it — and closer than ever during these three years of war,” said the Ukrainian president. “We have defended our state, independence, country, capital, many different cities and villages. Unfortunately, we have lost many people. I am very proud of our heroic people.”

Weapons in Exchange for Minerals

Trump stated that he is interested in reaching an agreement with Ukraine for the acquisition of rare earth metals and other resources in exchange for arms supplies.

The U.S. president said that Ukraine has "very valuable rare earth metals," and the U.S. wants its investments to be somewhat "guaranteed."

"We want to reach an agreement with Ukraine, in which they will guarantee what we give them with their rare earth metals and other things," he noted without specifics.