You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore,” President Donald Trump told Politico earlier.

Discussions around holding elections have made headlines since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has consistently claimed Zelensky is an illegitimate leader and demanded new elections as a condition of a ceasefire deal – a talking point which has been repeated by Trump.

President Zelensky suggested that Ukrainians would be allowed to vote on whether to hand over the Donbas region that Russia has repeatedly demanded as a way to secure an end to the war.

Zelenskyy could be Ukraine ready for its first election since Russia's 2022 invasion if international partners provide security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president told reporters that a vote could be held in 60 to 90 days if the country received security protections from the United States.

US President Donald Trump gave a major interview to Politico, in which he spoke sharply about Ukraine, Europe, and the course of the war, calling Russia "stronger" and once again hinting at the need for a "deal" with the Kremlin.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine does not need added pressure from allies on holding wartime elections after US President Donald Trump accused him of using the conflict to avoid polls. In a video message following the first Ukraine US meeting on post war recovery,