Zelensky Could Be Ousted As Trump Demands Ukraine Election

There are concerns that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could be ousted from office after President Donald Trump said that Kyiv should hold elections, according to British newspaper The Telegraph.

Newsweek has reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Zelensky was made Time Magazine's person of the year in 2022 for his "success as a wartime leader" and has been lauded as the face of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion. His exit from office could drastically change the outcome of the war and the achievement of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukraine hosting an election also raises the concern that Russia could interfere in the poll and install a pro-Kremlin leader who would be more amenable to Moscow's terms to end the war.

What To Know

Trump called for a Ukrainian ballot after American and Russian officials met for talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and agreed that elections in Ukraine need to be held before a peace deal can be negotiated. Kyiv was not represented at the summit and Zelensky has said his country would not accept any agreements reached without its direct participation.

In a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on February 18, the president said, "We have a situation where we haven't had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law, essentially martial law in Ukraine, where the leader in Ukraine, I mean, I hate to say it, but he's down at 4-percent approval rating, and where a country has been blown to smithereens (...) you got most of the cities are laying on their sides, the buildings are collapsed, it looks like a massive demolition site."

Trump added that "I would say that when they [Ukraine] want a seat at the table, wouldn't the people of Ukraine have to say, 'You know, it's been a long time since we've had an election?' That's not a Russian thing, that's something coming from me and coming from many other countries also."

There is no evidence to support the president's statement that Zelensky has a "4-percent approval rating," A recent poll, conducted in December 2024 regarding public opinion of Zelensky domestically, found that 52 percent of the population trusts him, according to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

Ukraine's next presidential election was scheduled to be held in March or April 2024, but was canceled due to martial law being put into effect in 2022.

The Ukrainian constitution states that the president typically holds office for five years.

Zelensky has previously been compared to former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill for his inspirational qualities as a wartime leader. However, when World War II ended in 1945, Churchill lost his reelection bid to Labour's Clement Attlee.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Brian Krassenstein, a writer and media personality, wrote: "U.S. & Russia propose that a 'peace deal' be contingent on elections in Ukraine. Elections should take place, but not until a comprehensive agreement is concluded. It appears that Trump and Russia want elections to take place before a comprehensive agreement is concluded. This is pathetic, as Russia would do everything in their power to interfere in that election."

Marcel Dirsus, a political scientist and author, wrote on X: "In summary: Russia, a dictatorship that hasn't held meaningful elections in multiple decades, wants Ukraine to hold elections while at war to get rid of Zelensky. Then Ukraine is supposed to concede territory and give up NATO membership while Russia rearms. Did I get that right?"

What Happens Next

It is unknown at this time if Ukraine will agree to hold elections prior to forming a peace agreement with Russia. Zelensky recently extended martial law and mobilization until May 9, 2025, according to Pravda.