Trump aides discuss snap Ukrainian elections with opposition parties

Politico reported the information, citing its own sources.

According to the outlet, members of Donald Trump’s team held discussions with Yulia Tymoshenko and senior members of the European Solidarity party. The talks reportedly focused on whether Ukraine could hold snap presidential elections.

“The Trump aides are confident that Zelenskyy would lose any vote due to war fatigue and public frustration over rampant corruption,” Politico wrote.

The outlet also cited a poll conducted last week by the British polling firm Survation, which showed that 44% of Ukrainians would support Zelenskyy in a presidential election.

Poroshenko’s Response

Ukraine’s former president reacted to Politico’s report and confirmed that his team works "publicly and transparently" with American partners, with the goal of maintaining bipartisan support for Ukraine.

“The essence of our conversations with American representatives has always come down to two principles — security first and peace through strength. Specifically: weapons, intelligence, sanctions against Russia, financial support, democratic resilience (freedom and democracy), and transatlantic unity,” Poroshenko explained.

According to him, the European Solidarity team has always been and remains firmly opposed to holding elections during wartime. Poroshenko emphasized that elections are only possible after a ceasefire is achieved and a peace agreement is signed, with security guarantees for Ukraine.

"Unlike the current authorities, who are diverting funds from the army to buy votes, and using unconstitutional and extrajudicial sanctions to eliminate political opponents — which is nothing more than politically motivated persecution and part of an election preparation scenario," he added.

Tymoshenko’s response

Yulia Tymoshenko stated that the Batkivshchyna party is also holding talks with all allies capable of helping Ukraine achieve a just peace as soon as possible.

"Until that moment — and I’ve said this many times before — there can be no talk of holding any elections in Ukraine," the politician added.

• International political analyst Maksym Nesvytailov warns that if Trump's administration does not change its course, internal U.S. instability could escalate into a global catastrophe.