A clear message sent by the United States. The special envoy of American president Donald Trump in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said he wishes to organize a new presidential and legislative election by the end of the year in the country, especially if kyiv manages to find A truce agreement with Russia. This proposal, reported exclusively by the agency Reuters Saturday, February 1, could even participate in finding a cease-fire agreement with Moscow, estimates Washington. “Most democratic countries have elections in wartime. I think it is important that they take place. I think that is good for democracy,” Keith Kellogg justified in the same interview.
Why such an ad? President Donald Trump, hyperactive internationally since the start of his new mandate, hopes to find a rapid solution to the Ukrainian conflict. During his presidential campaign, he had repeatedly repeated that he would settle war “in 24 hours” once in power, strong of his “very good relationship” with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
If he has obviously failed to implement this daring promise, the billionaire says he is prepared to facilitate towards peace negotiations. “I think, from what I hear, that Putin wants to meet me, we will meet as soon as possible. I will meet him immediately,” said Donald Trump on January 23, faced with journalists.
A condition for accepting a truce in Moscow?
According to information from Reuterswhich cites three sources close to the file, the guarantee of the organization of new elections in Ukraine could be part of the wages to be put forward in front of Russia to obtain a cease-fire agreement. The news agency indicates that one of the scenarios imagined by American diplomats would consist of a truce discussed in two stages. It would first be a question of negotiating a simple ceasefire on the battlefield. Then, in a second step, after a presidential election and legislative elections in Ukraine, to give the winner of the ballot the responsibility of finding a compromise of long -term peace with Moscow.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had himself argued that new elections could be set up during the year 2024, provided of a stopping of fighting and obtaining numerous security guarantees from Russia. However, the Russian president does not seem ready to discuss directly with his Ukrainian counterpart. Vladimir Putin considers Zelensky as “illegitimate” because of the postponement of Ukrainian elections in recent years in martial law, imposed since 2022. The Russian leader implied that he would refuse to participate in a meeting with a meeting with The Ukrainian head of state. If the latter “wants to participate in negotiations, I will choose people who will lead these negotiations,” he said on January 28 on Russian state television.
Fears of a campaign under Russian influence
Volodymyr Zelensky is far from being challenged by the Ukrainian population in its borders. But confidence in its action – and especially in its ability to choose the right strategy to end war – has been eroded, as shown in various opinion polls in recent months. In the event of a presidential election, the leader would have no certainty of being re -elected. Especially since some pretenders in power no longer hide their ambitions. Ex-president Petro Poroshenko multiplies travel on the ground, as is the mayor of kyiv, the former boxer Vitali Klitschko.
Above all, even without being a candidate, the ex-general and commander of the Ukrainian armed forces Valeri Zaloujny acts as a favorite in opinion investigations for the presidency of the country. This figure in the Ukrainian army was noticed last winter for its criticism of the military strategy of the central power, before being replaced in February 2024 by General Syrsky. He has since been appointed ambassador to London. Last October, he supported the presentation of the “Victory Plan” presented to the Ukrainian Parliament by Volodymyr Zelensky. For him, it would be “difficult” for Ukraine to get out of the conflict with Russia without the increased support of its international partners.
Reuters Precise also that the reception reserved in Ukraine of this American proposal, subject to kyiv in recent days, is not very clear. The Ukrainian power would have opposed certain reluctance to Washington’s will to accelerate the electoral process in the country. His fears? A division of Ukrainians during the campaign and possible Russian interference on the ballot, like what has happened in Moldova, Georgia or Romania in recent months.