Ukrainian Peace Proposal Update
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian officials are set to present a revised peace proposal to U.S. negotiators on Wednesday, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He mentioned that Ukraine could ensure safe wartime voting and be prepared for elections within three months, provided there are changes to the electoral law.
Zelensky’s comments came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks that raised concerns about Ukraine’s democracy and suggested that its leaders might be using the ongoing war as a pretext to delay elections.
During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Zelensky expressed his readiness for elections but highlighted the necessity of support from the U.S. and possibly Europe to safeguard the voting process. He suggested that, if security issues are addressed, Ukraine could hold elections in about 60 to 90 days.
“To conduct elections, we need to tackle two things: security—how to manage elections amid strikes and missile attacks—and the military aspect: how will people cast their votes?” he explained further.
He added, “The second point is establishing a legal framework to ensure the elections are legitimate.”
Previously, President Zelensky noted that elections could not take place legally under the martial law that has been in place since the Russian invasion nearly four years ago. He also raised concerns about how elections could be conducted when many areas are facing Russian shelling and when around 20% of Ukraine remains under Russian occupation.
Zelensky mentioned that he had urged members of his party in parliament to draft legislation that would facilitate holding elections during martial law.
General support for Zelensky’s stance exists among Ukrainians, and currently, no significant calls for immediate elections are being made. Under existing Ukrainian law, Zelensky’s presidency is valid.
However, as Trump seeks a resolution between Kyiv and Moscow, Zelensky finds himself balancing Ukraine’s interests while signaling openness to some level of compromise to the American president.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly claimed that Zelensky lacks the legal basis to negotiate peace, arguing that his five-year term, which began in 2019, has lapsed.
In a recent interview with Politico, Trump reinforced this perspective, stating, “I think this is an important time to hold an election. They are using war to avoid it.”
The newly released U.S. National Security Strategy clarifies that Trump aims to enhance relations with Russia and reestablish “strategic stability.”
Additionally, the document characterizes European allies as lacking strength.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commended Trump’s involvement in efforts for peace in Ukraine during a speech to Russia’s Federation Council, emphasizing that Trump is the only Western leader who recognizes the inevitability of conflict with Ukraine.
Trump’s stance could be pivotal for Ukraine, yet peace initiatives from Washington face contrasting demands from Moscow and Kyiv.
Initially, Trump’s peace approach heavily favored Russian requests, prompting Zelensky to seek support from European allies.
Recently, Zelensky has met with leaders from Britain, Germany, and France in London, as well as NATO and EU leaders in Brussels, before discussing matters with Italy’s Prime Minister and Pope Leo XIV.
Zelensky mentioned that he is consulting with U.S. and European partners regarding three evolving documents: a 20-point framework, a security document, and a reconstruction plan for Ukraine.
However, support from Europe has been inconsistent, leading to a reduction in military aid since the Trump administration’s cut-off of supplies unless matched by funding from other NATO nations.
Data from a German organization tracking international military aid indicates a significant decline in foreign military assistance to Ukraine this summer, a trend that continued into fall. From 2022 to 2024, an average of around 41.6 billion euros ($48.4 billion) was expected, primarily from the U.S. and Europe, but so far this year, Ukraine has received only 32.5 billion euros ($37.8 billion).
The report warns that if this decline continues, 2025 could see the lowest new aid allocations since the conflict began.
Countries like Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have substantially increased aid to Ukraine this year, while Germany has nearly tripled its monthly contributions. France and the UK have also more than doubled theirs. In contrast, Spain has provided no new military aid, and Italy has reduced its modest contributions by 15% from previous levels.
