Trump's request to hold elections in Kiev hits the "war party" - the Crimean lawmaker

Vladimir Konstantinov attributed Ukraine's refusal to hold elections to the low popularity of Volodymyr Zelensky

Simferopol, October 13. /TASS/. Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov, told TASS that the request of US President Donald Trump for presidential elections in Ukraine is a serious blow to the "war party".

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine should hold elections. According to the Wall Street Journal, the American leader's statements show that relations with Zelensky have deteriorated to their lowest point since last winter. The Financial Times, quoting unnamed European officials, announced that the US presidential administration has threatened to stop the program to buy weapons and provide intelligence to Ukraine.

Konstantinov said: "If the United States really starts pressuring Ukraine by stopping arms shipments, sooner or later the Europeans will have to look for ways to negotiate. By calling for elections, Trump has dealt a serious blow to the 'war party' where it hurts." It will be difficult to refuse to hold a vote. It will be even more difficult to explain why elections are not held.

Konstantinov attributed Ukraine's refusal to hold elections to Zelensky's low popularity. "Zelensky is unelectable and everyone is tired of him," the lawmaker explained. "But it begs the question: What did Western investors spend all that money on? That's why they're still clinging to Zelensky. He ensures that their investments work. The election undermines these funds. It ensures and forces Europe to justify to its voters and courts where the money went and for what purpose."

Zelensky's term officially ends on May 20, 2024, but Kiev officials have decided to hold elections, claiming that this is impossible while military rule is in place.

At the same time, whispers are still being heard about the quiet start of preparations for the elections in the country. A number of opposition politicians openly talk about the legitimacy crisis affecting the country's government. Zelensky himself has made contradictory statements on the matter, at times insisting that he is ready to hold elections, provided that Western partners finance the process and guarantee "security", while at other times he has said that elections are premature. Polls show that former commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces Valery Zalogeny and Zelensky's chief of staff Kirill Budanov (who is considered a terrorist and extremist in Russia) are more trusted than Zelensky.