Elections During War: How Trump's Idea Plays into the Kremlin's Hands.

Donald Trump's statement about holding elections in Ukraine and accusing Volodymyr Zelensky of 'dictatorial tendencies' has caused serious outrage. Politico Europe's editor, Jamie Dettmer, notes that such statements not only distort reality but also align with Kremlin propaganda, such as Trump's remarks about the war in Ukraine.

Holding elections in Ukraine amidst threats jeopardizes national unity and makes the country vulnerable to Russian influence operations aimed at undermining resilience and stirring conflicts. Even Zelensky's opponents, such as Klitschko, Poroshenko, and Tymoshenko, are against holding elections until the fighting ends.

This indicates that Trump's position coincides with Kremlin narratives about Ukrainian elections. His motives are not about defending democracy but about destabilizing the country and weakening Zelensky's position. Trump does not openly acknowledge this.

From a practical point of view, holding elections in a country at war, where millions are displaced or defending their country at the front, is technically impossible. According to international experts Peter Erben and Gio Kobakhidze from the 'International Foundation for Electoral Systems', Ukraine should hold elections when it can ensure safety and adherence to democratic standards, which in the context of total war is impossible.