Trump Says It’s Time for Presidential Elections in Ukraine

Trump Says It’s Time for Presidential Elections in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to hold presidential elections, arguing that the country’s prolonged postponement of voting undermines its democratic claims.

Speaking to Politico journalist Dasha Burns, Trump said he believes Ukrainians should have the opportunity to choose their leader despite the ongoing war with Russia.

“Yeah. I think so. It’s been a long time. Things aren’t going very well. Yeah, I think it’s time,” Trump said. “They’re using war not to hold an election, but I would think the Ukrainian people should have that choice.

And maybe Zelensky would win. But they haven’t had an election in a long time. They talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”

Ukraine suspended its scheduled 2024 presidential election under martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, have defended the delay as necessary for national security and logistical reasons.

Trump’s comments add to ongoing international debate about balancing democratic governance with wartime realities, as Kyiv continues to fight for survival against Moscow’s military aggression.