Trump's Ukraine statements in line with Russia's view, Kremlin says

Kyiv 'ready for elections' if partners guarantee security: Zelensky

FE Team | Published: December 10, 2025 22:26:33

MOSCOW, Dec 10 (AFP/BBC): The Kremlin on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump's latest statements on Ukraine-in which he said Moscow will win the war and that Kyiv will have to cede land-align with Russia's view.
In an interview to Politico, Trump also said European leaders were "weak" and called on Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to hold elections in statements that spooked Kyiv and Europe.
"In many ways, on the subject of NATO membership, on the subject of territories, on the subjects of how Ukraine is losing land, it is in tune with our understanding," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, on Wednesday.
He called Trump's comments "very important".
Trump said Russia has a stronger negotiating position in talks to end the war because of the size of the country, and said that Ukraine would never join NATO.
Following the interview, Zelensky said he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine provided security would be assured.
Moscow's offensive-which prompted Kyiv to introduce martial law-has made holding elections in the country impossible under Ukrainian law.
Russia has long called for Zelensky's demise, calling him an illegitimate leader. "We will see how the events will unfold," Peskov said of Zelensky's announcement.
The United States has intensified its talks with both Russia and Ukraine to end Europe's worst conflict since World War II.
In his interview to Politico, Trump said reaching a deal is "tough" and that "one of the reasons is the level of hatred between Putin and Zelensky is tremendous".
Ukraine is "ready for elections", President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, after US President Donald Trump repeated claims Kyiv was "using war" to avoid holding them.
Zelensky's five-year term as president was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended in Ukraine since martial law was declared after Russia's invasion.
Speaking to reporters following Trump's comments in a wide-raging Politico interview, Zelensky said he would ask for proposals to be drawn up which could change the law.
Elections could be held in the next 60 to 90 days if security for the vote was guaranteed with the help of the US and other allies, he said.
"I'm asking now, and I'm stating this openly, for the US to help me, perhaps together with our European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections," he told reporters.