Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Donald Trump is eager to broker a peace agreement in Ukraine before the US midterm elections later this year, arguing that a deal would represent a significant political win for the American leader.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Zelenskyy said the “most advantageous situation for Trump is to do this before the midterms” in November. While acknowledging Trump’s stated desire to reduce casualties, the Ukrainian president added: “If we are talking like adults, it’s also a political victory for him.”
Zelenskyy previously indicated that the White House hopes to see the war concluded by June but has warned that greater pressure must be applied on Russia if a ceasefire is to be achieved by summer. According to reports, Moscow is still weighing participation in another round of trilateral talks expected to take place in Miami.
When Trump began his second term, he pledged to end the conflict within 24 hours. As the war nears its fourth anniversary, negotiations remain stalled, with each side blaming the other for delays. Trump has repeatedly accused Ukraine of slowing progress toward a settlement.
Zelenskyy described ending the war as potentially Trump’s “number one legacy,” but maintained that Kyiv will not abandon its core demands. He reiterated that Ukraine requires firm security guarantees and a ceasefire before holding national elections, which are currently suspended under martial law imposed during wartime.
Trump has echoed Kremlin claims by labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator” for remaining in office beyond his term, despite the legal prohibition on elections during active conflict. In response, Zelenskyy said calls for wartime elections serve Moscow’s interests. “They want to get rid of me,” he said, adding that he is prepared to face voters once conditions allow.
“No one is clinging to power. I am ready for elections. But for that we need security guarantees and a ceasefire,” he stated.
Zelenskyy insisted that Ukraine has never opposed ending the war but accused Russia of resisting meaningful dialogue. He urged Moscow to use the coming months to reach an agreement while Trump remains highly engaged in the process.
He also noted that key elements of any potential US-backed peace framework including security assurances remain undefined and should be clearly formalized. Any final agreement, he said, would need public backing in Ukraine, though he cautioned against rushing into a flawed deal.
Zelenskyy is expected to discuss the conflict at the upcoming Munich Security Conference alongside leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to press its territorial demands, complicating efforts to secure a negotiated settlement.
