Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answered journalists' questions on Tuesday evening, stating his readiness to hold elections in the country within two to three months (provided that voting security is ensured) and his willingness for an energy truce with Russia, if the Russian side is also ready for it. This was reported by the BBC.
Zelensky also mentioned that Kyiv intends to present an updated peace plan to the United States on Wednesday. According to him, three key documents are being considered in the negotiation process between Ukraine, the U.S., and European allies, which should serve as the basis for a peaceful settlement.
Below are the key statements from Volodymyr Zelensky.
On elections in Ukraine
“In my opinion, the decision about elections in Ukraine should come from our citizens, not from foreign states. I respect our partners, but this is a matter of Ukraine's internal politics.
Honestly, I am ready for elections. If someone says that I am clinging to power or the presidential chair, and that this is hindering the end of the war, then that is simply absurd.
To organize elections, two issues need to be resolved: ensuring security during voting and a legislative framework that will make the elections legitimate.
Since this issue is raised by the President of the United States, I am ready to answer briefly: I am ready for elections. Moreover, I openly ask the U.S., possibly together with our European partners, to help ensure security for their conduct. If this happens, Ukraine will be able to hold elections within 60-90 days. I have the will and readiness for this.
If things move forward, I ask our deputies to prepare legislative initiatives to amend the fundamentals of the Election Law under martial law. I am waiting for proposals from our parliamentarians, I am ready to go to elections.”
On the peace plan and the three documents
“There is a framework document with 20 points that is constantly being updated. This is an important structure that meets the interests of Ukraine, Europe, and the whole world.
The second document concerns security guarantees — we are working on it. I expect proposals from our military and their communication with American partners. This should unite the foundations of the 'coalition of the willing.' Although this is difficult, you will see it. Security guarantees are an important document for us and the U.S., as well as for European countries.
The third document concerns reconstruction. Some call it the economic development of Ukraine. This is a project that should be implemented after the end of the war or a ceasefire. We are also working on it.”
Regarding the transfer of the updated peace plan to the U.S.
“We are working on this today and will work on it tomorrow. I hope we can transfer it as early as tomorrow.”
As for the energy truce with Russia
“Russia is attacking our energy sector, and we are justifiably responding. If the Russians are ready for an energy truce, we are always ready to discuss it, as it is important for the people.”
On the return of Crimea and NATO membership
This is in response to a question from a BBC correspondent about whether Zelensky said at his first meeting with Putin in 2019: “I want to return Crimea, and Ukraine will be in NATO.”
“We are realists and truly want to join NATO. But we understand that neither the U.S. nor several other countries, to be frank, are currently considering Ukraine for membership. Russia will certainly never agree to this.
As for Crimea, we do not have the strength to return it entirely. Perhaps I said this at the first meeting. I believe I was right. Yes, we currently do not have the necessary resources and support for this, but I said this at the first meeting and am ready to confirm it in the latest negotiations with Putin.”
According to the Financial Times, citing informed sources, Washington is demanding a quick response from Zelensky to the Trump administration's peace plan in order to reach a ceasefire agreement with Russia by Christmas, December 25.
Sources say that Trump’s representatives gave Zelensky a few days to respond to the proposed agreement, which requires Ukraine to acknowledge territorial losses in exchange for indefinite security guarantees from the U.S.
Zelensky informed his European colleagues that during a two-hour phone call on Saturday, he was pressured by Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff and U.S. President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, demanding a prompt decision.
A source from the publication claims that Trump hopes to reach an agreement “by Christmas.”
Zelensky told American envoys that he needs time to consult with European partners before responding to Washington's proposal.
One official noted that Ukraine faces a choice between territorial demands that it cannot accept and U.S. demands that it cannot reject.
On Monday in London, the President of Ukraine met with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the meeting was organized to discuss “the coming days, as this could be a decisive moment for all of us,” the FT reports.
Ukraine needs to hold presidential elections to “confirm the country’s commitment to democratic development.” This was stated during an interview with Politico by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Yes, I think it’s time. Now is the right time to hold elections. The Ukrainian authorities are using the war as an excuse not to hold elections, but the people should have that choice. Perhaps Zelensky will win. I don’t know who exactly will win. Elections haven’t been held for a long time. They talk about democracy, but at some point, it’s no longer democracy,” the American president noted.
This statement came against the backdrop of a growing corruption scandal involving the positions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Earlier, Trump called for elections to be held in the country. In February, after a conflict with Zelensky in the White House, he stated that Zelensky was “a dictator without elections.” However, soon after, the U.S. president “backtracked” on his words, saying he couldn’t have said that: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.”
In August 2025, during the next meeting with Trump in the White House, Zelensky spoke about his readiness to hold elections, but on the condition that full peace is established in Ukraine.
“We need a ceasefire on all fronts: on the battlefield, in the air, and at sea, so that people can hold democratic, open, and legal elections,” he emphasized.
