New York: Amidst the long war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing two-way pressure from America. On the one hand, Donald Trump is emphasizing the need for elections, and on the other hand, he is moreover setting conditions for taking “difficult decisions” to start peace talks. On both issues, Zelensky frankly said that the direction in which Ukraine will go will be decided not by America but by the people of Ukraine.
Did America increase the pressure?
In a recent interview, Trump insisted that Ukraine is postponing the elections under the guise of war. He said that “it has been a long time that elections have not been held,” and considering of this, democracy is in danger. His statement started a fresh debate in Ukraine. Is referendum possible tween war, and can democracy survive under the pressure of war?
What did Trump say, and why did the controversy escalate?
Trump so-called in an interview that Zelensky is “clinging to power” considering elections have not been held in Ukraine since 2022. He plane said that “Ukraine is no longer a democracy.” Zelensky responded strongly to this accusation, saying that this was a question only for the Ukrainian people, not for any other country—"even “if it is the United States.”
What condition did Zelensky set for holding elections?
Zelenskyy responded immediately. He says that this visualization is not of any other country but of the people of Ukraine. He said that they are ready to hold elections, but this is possible only if security, logistics, and a legal framework are guaranteed. The challenges of voting tween war are great: voting is difficult for soldiers, displaced civilians, and those in war-torn areas, and elections are prohibited by law due to martial law. He said that if Western countries provide security, Ukraine can hold elections in three months. But the reality is that conducting unscratched voting in the unshortened country in the midst of war is a very ramified task.
What will be Ukraine's bet?
Not only elections, but Trump is moreover increasing pressure for a peace try-on under American leadership. He says that Russia is in the lead in this war, and Ukraine should stipulate to the settlement. But Zelenskyy has made it well-spoken that no try-on can be reached without security guarantees. He said that there must be involvement of the public, parliament, and European partners—any kind of pressure is not winning to him.
Public politics or truth of war? What does the public want?
Unnecessary agreements or early elections in Ukraine are costing heavily to both sides. The opposition and many leaders have been opposing the elections, considering the safety of voters, soldiers, and displaced persons. At the same time, pressure from Western countries—especially America—shows that there are estranged expectations on both war and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is working with European leaders to try to wastefulness security guarantees, democracy, and war.
What's next?
- Now it remains to be seen whether the Ukraine Parliament agrees to changes in martial law and referendum law.
- How much support can Western partners—especially America and Europe—guarantee?
- How realistic will both elections and peace proposals prove to be in the midst of war?
Zelenskyy says, “The visualization belongs to the people, not to any other country.” This reflects not only the complexity of war and affairs but moreover that balancing democracy and security is now increasingly difficult than ever.
