Zelenskiy advisor skeptical of U.S. ceasefire and election proposal

[EUROPE] A U.S. request for Ukraine to conduct an election after reaching a ceasefire with Russia appears to be a "failed plan" if that's all it is, according to a presidential advisor to Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday, though additional information is required. Keith Kellogg, the top Ukraine official for President Donald Trump, told Reuters that the United States wants Ukraine to hold elections, maybe by the end of the year, if Kyiv can reach a truce with Russia in the upcoming months. Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelenskiy's communications adviser, stated, "It's difficult to fully assess Mr. Kellogg's position because we haven't seen his entire interview, only a few quotes about the elections."

In a written statement to Reuters, he said, "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." Without security assurances that would prevent Moscow from rebuilding its forces and launching another invasion in the future, Kyiv has stated time and time again that it does not want a ceasefire. Martial law, which Ukraine adopted following Russia's 2022 invasion, now forbids elections. According to Lytvyn, Ukraine would want to see officials in important allies take a more thorough approach. "But we remember that President Trump, in his meetings with President Zelenskiy, spoke deeply and wisely about the situation and what could actually pressure Putin," he stated.

On the frontlines, Ukrainian soldiers expressed deep skepticism about the viability of a ceasefire. Viktor, a soldier stationed near Lyman, told CNN there's only a "30% chance" of a lasting truce, citing relentless Russian advances and Kyiv’s dwindling manpower. "If a ceasefire happens now, Russia will just regroup and attack again," said another soldier, echoing concerns that past ceasefires allowed Moscow to consolidate gains. Trump's "peace through strength" strategy has been hailed by Ukraine as Kyiv seeks the support it needs to establish the framework for a strong and long-lasting peace. Moving swiftly to "real work between teams on a concrete plan to end the war and ensure lasting peace" was crucial, according to Lytvyn.

The proposal also faces domestic political hurdles. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskiy’s main rival, has publicly opposed holding elections during wartime, warning it could destabilize the country and divert resources from the battlefield. "Elections now would only serve Russia’s interests," Poroshenko argued, reflecting widespread public reluctance to vote under martial law. Moscow's military are advancing in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv's soldiers are controlling a portion of a western Russian province, some three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Regular long-range drone attacks are being carried out by both sides far behind the front lines.

Kellogg acknowledged that any viable peace deal would require compromises from both sides. "Ukraine and Russia must each give a little," he said, though specifics remain unclear. This aligns with Zelenskiy’s recent remarks to the AP, where he stressed that excluding Ukraine from U.S.-Russia negotiations would undermine sovereignty and embolden Moscow. "Peace cannot be decided over our heads," he insisted.

Amid these tensions, Kyiv residents like 72-year-old Larissa in Lyman voice desperation. "Putin alone decides when this ends," she said, reflecting war-weariness tempered by distrust of foreign mediation. Her sentiment underscores the challenges of reconciling geopolitical strategies with grassroots realities. As diplomatic efforts intensify, the gap between Washington’s proposals and on-the-ground complexities grows increasingly apparent.