Zelenskyy's adviser criticises US idea of elections and ceasefire
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- Mariia Khamitsevych
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8:51, 03 February, 2025
Advisor to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn and President of Ukraine Volodymyr ZelenskyyA ceasefire and elections in Ukraine «will not intimidate» Vladimir Putin, and a concrete plan of joint action between Ukraine and the United States is needed to end the war.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to the President of Ukraine, said this in response to the words of Keith Kellogg, an adviser to Donald Trump, regarding the possibility of holding elections in Ukraine.
He explained that Russia is increasing the production of missiles and ammunition and finding ways to circumvent sanctions. Russia's alliance with North Korea does not indicate readiness for peace. Therefore «Ukraine needs a deeper approach from its international partners, not just the idea of a truce».
«If Kellogg's plan is simply a ceasefire and elections, it is a failed plan. Putin will not be intimidated by these two things. Moscow continues to increase the production of missiles and ammunition, find new ways to circumvent sanctions and make money on oil. And, obviously, all these weapons are not created to respect democratic neighbours. Russia's military alliance with North Korea is clearly not about observing the ceasefire», Dmytro Lytvyn stressed.
He also noted that Donald Trump, during his meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demonstrated «a deep understanding of the situation and possible levers of pressure on the Kremlin».
«It is important to quickly move on to real work between the teams on a concrete plan to end the war and ensure a lasting peace», — added the advisor to the President of Ukraine.
As a reminder, the United States has expressed a desire for Ukraine to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, possibly by the end of this year, if Kyiv reaches a ceasefire with Russia.
Keith Kellogg noted that elections are an important element for maintaining democracy, even in times of war, and pointed out that many democratic countries hold elections during hostilities.
According to him, holding elections could be part of a ceasefire agreement that would allow Ukraine and Russia to begin negotiations on a long-term peace.
In November 2024, Donald Trump's special envoy for the war in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, presented a new plan for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, which proposed freezing the front line, creating a demilitarised zone, and postponing Ukraine's accession to NATO indefinitely.
As early as January 2025, President Donald Trump instructed retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg to end the war in Ukraine in one hundred days. Almost no one believes that he will be able to do so.