Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he is prepared to hold new elections in Ukraine and will present Washington with revised proposals to end the nearly four-year-long war with Russia as early as Wednesday.

The move comes amid intensified pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing Kyiv to accept a Washington-formulated peace plan that Ukraine’s European allies privately fear is heavily tilted in Moscow’s favour.

Revised Plan Expected Within a Day

Zelensky confirmed that his government was finalising updated terms after days of intensive discussions with European partners.

“We are working today and will continue tomorrow. I think we will hand it over tomorrow,” he told reporters, following meetings in London, Brussels, and later Rome.

Trump recently accused Zelensky of not reading the latest American proposals and said Russia currently holds “the upper hand” in the conflict.

Trump Questions Ukraine’s Democracy

In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, Trump claimed Ukraine was avoiding elections under the cover of war:

“You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”

Ukraine was due to hold presidential elections in March 2024, but voting was suspended under martial law after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky Responds: “I Am Ready for the Elections”

Following Trump’s comments, Zelensky clarified that he is prepared to organise a new national ballot if legal and security requirements can be met.

“I am ready for the elections,” he said, adding that he has asked Ukrainian lawmakers to submit proposals to amend electoral laws to permit voting during martial law.

Despite the political uncertainty, Ukrainian law still prohibits holding elections during wartime without major legislative changes.

Peace Plan Sticking Points: Territory and Security Guarantees

Zelensky spent the past days touring European capitals as part of intensive consultations on the US peace framework.
On Monday, he met leaders in London and Brussels, and on Tuesday he travelled to Italy for talks with Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Washington’s original 28-point proposal reportedly demanded that Ukraine surrender all of Donbas, including areas Russia has never captured, in exchange for security assurances. After negotiations, the plan was reduced to 20 points, Zelensky confirmed.

However, territorial concessions remain a red line.

“Do we envision ceding territories? We have no legal right to do so… and we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky insisted, citing Ukrainian law, the constitution, and international norms.

He added that Kyiv is still waiting for clarity from its partners on how they would respond to any new Russian aggression after a peace agreement.

At a televised event the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Ukraine’s Donbas region is “historical Russian territory.”

Trump Criticises Europe Again

The US president has oscillated between attacking and praising Zelensky since returning to office in January. He initially scolded Ukraine for being insufficiently grateful for American support, but later expressed frustration that his attempts to convince Putin to end the war had stalled. Last month, he approved new sanctions on Russian oil firms.

In his Politico interview, Trump also lashed out at European allies:

“They talk but they don’t produce.”

His administration’s national security strategy — which warned of Europe facing “civilizational erasure” — has alarmed EU governments.

Italy Walks a Fine Line

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been a consistent supporter of Ukraine, positioning herself as a bridge between Trump and Europe. Italy has supplied weapons to Kyiv, but only for use inside Ukrainian territory.

One of Meloni’s coalition partners, Matteo Salvini’s League, has raised doubts about continuing military aid. The Italian government postponed a decision on renewing support last week, with the current authorisation expiring on December 31.

Despite internal debate, Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s stance:

“As long as there’s a war, we’ll do what we can… to help Ukraine defend itself.”