Espreso. Global
OPINION

Kellogg and demand for elections

2 February, 2025 Sunday
15:21

I’ve said it before — the Russians will try to derail the first stage of negotiations using the Ukrainians. The demand for elections is just a formal excuse to delay real talks

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For now, these things are clear:

Judging by everything, Ukraine will likely be forced to hold elections as soon as possible. The ideal scenario for Washington would be a pause in the war, then elections, then negotiations — though that still looks uncertain. But the U.S. doesn’t seem to rule out a Plan B: holding elections even during the war.

It seems the U.S. has settled on two main conditions for negotiations — elections and no NATO membership.

Here’s why the election decision was made:

Washington realizes quick negotiations won’t happen without elections, as that’s Russia’s key demand. Putin has backed himself into a corner by insisting on this without adding new conditions. And now, it looks like Trump has accepted this game.

The U.S. wants newly elected leaders to sign and implement the negotiation agreements.

Now, about Ukraine.

Elections are becoming almost inevitable, bringing internal instability and uncertainty over the rules of the game. Here’s an idealistic thought: Ukraine needs a unity government after the elections. But no political force wants that. No one wants to talk about negotiation positions. Everyone will just throw around accusations of betrayal.

Ukraine's main priority is stabilizing the front line. That’s the beginning and end of everything.

Source

About the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.

The editorial staff does not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.

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