ISW: Moscow is manipulating the issue of elections in Ukraine to prolong negotiations
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that the Kremlin is deliberately using the constitutional ban on elections in Ukraine during wartime to pressure Kyiv in negotiations and prolong the war. According to analysts, Moscow only needs to agree to a complete ceasefire for elections to become possible. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his willingness to hold elections if there is a 60-day ceasefire.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report, the Kremlin is deliberately using the constitutional ban on holding elections in Ukraine during wartime. According to analysts, Russian officials are manipulating this issue to pressure the Ukrainian side in diplomatic contacts and prolong the negotiation process and the war.
ISW notes that Moscow only needs to agree to a complete ceasefire to hold elections in Ukraine. According to the institute, the United States and Ukraine have repeatedly offered this scenario of a ceasefire to Russia.
Previously, US President Donald Trump publicly called on Ukrainians to elect a new leader instead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticizing him for a lack of willingness to make diplomatic agreements. X social media owner Elon Musk supported the argument for change and stated that Zelenskyy "has gone too far." In response, Zelenskyy stated that he is ready to hold elections if the ceasefire lasts 60 days.