Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Donald Trump is keen to secure a peace deal in Ukraine before the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, arguing that such an agreement would amount to a major political achievement for the American leader.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Zelenskyy said the “most advantageous situation for Trump is to do this before the midterms” in November. While recognizing Trump’s stated aim of reducing casualties, he added that, viewed pragmatically, ending the war would also represent a political victory for him.
Zelenskyy previously indicated that the White House hopes to see the conflict resolved by June, but stressed that stronger pressure on Russia would be necessary to secure a ceasefire by summer. Reports suggest Moscow is still considering whether to participate in another round of trilateral talks expected in Miami. At the start of his second term, Trump vowed to end the war within 24 hours. However, as the conflict approaches its fourth anniversary, negotiations remain stalled, with both sides trading blame. Trump has repeatedly accused Ukraine of delaying progress toward a settlement.
Describing a potential peace deal as Trump’s possible “number one legacy,” Zelenskyy nonetheless insisted that Kyiv would not compromise on its core demands. He reaffirmed that Ukraine requires firm security guarantees and a ceasefire before organizing national elections, which remain suspended under martial law imposed during wartime. Trump has echoed Kremlin rhetoric by referring to Zelenskyy as a “dictator” for staying in office beyond his term, despite legal provisions barring elections during active conflict. Zelenskyy countered that calls for wartime elections align with Moscow’s interests, saying he is prepared to face voters once security conditions permit.
“No one is clinging to power. I am ready for elections. But for that we need security guarantees and a ceasefire,” he said. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has never opposed ending the war but accused Russia of resisting substantive negotiations. He urged Moscow to use the coming months to reach an agreement while Trump remains closely engaged in the diplomatic process.
He also noted that crucial aspects of any potential U.S.-backed peace framework—including security assurances—have yet to be clearly defined and must be formally outlined. Any final agreement, he said, would require public support in Ukraine, though he warned against rushing into a flawed deal.
Zelenskyy is expected to address the conflict at the upcoming Munich Security Conference alongside leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to push its territorial demands, further complicating efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement.
