Donald Trump's Envoy Steve Witkoff Claims Ukraine Has Agreed to Elections

The U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, claimed that Kyiv has agreed to hold presidential elections despite the country's constitutional ban on wartime voting. However, he did not provide details or evidence to support his statement.

In an interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson on Friday, Witkoff declared, "There will be elections in Ukraine," adding that the country's leadership had "agreed to it." Kyiv has not officially confirmed any such decision.

U.S. pressure on Ukraine

The Trump administration has been pushing for Ukraine to hold elections, with President Donald Trump calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections." Ukraine's supporters say this aligns with Russian-backed narratives that seek to undermine Ukraine’s government.

Holding elections during an active war poses significant challenges. Pro-Ukraine analysts warn that such a move could expose Ukraine to Russian interference and logistical difficulties, as many citizens remain displaced and regions are under Russian occupation.

NATO membership and security guarantees

In the same interview, Witkoff also commented on Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, a key issue in peace negotiations.

"If there's going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO. I think that's largely accepted," he said.

However, he suggested Ukraine could still receive security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, which requires members to defend one another if attacked.

"I think that's open for discussion," Witkoff added, without elaborating.

Ukraine’s response still unclear

While Witkoff's remarks suggest a shift in Ukraine’s stance, there has been no official confirmation from Kyiv. Ukraine’s leadership has previously emphasized that elections would not be possible under martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

As the war continues, the question of holding elections remains a deeply contentious issue, with potential implications for Ukraine’s stability and international support.