Trump Envoy Witkoff Claims Ukraine Will Conduct Presidential Elections

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from the Trump administration, stated that Ukraine plans to hold presidential elections, citing leadership’s agreement. He addressed skepticism about President Zelensky’s legitimacy amidst ongoing hostilities and martial law prohibiting elections. Witkoff argued that Russia does not pose a threat to Europe, claiming fears of an advance are unfounded.

On March 21, Steve Witkoff, who serves as President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, claimed during an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Ukraine’s leadership has consented to hold presidential elections. In response to Carlson’s inquiry on the likelihood of elections, Witkoff affirmed, “Yes. There will be. They’ve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine,” though he did not elaborate on specifics.

The authenticity of Witkoff’s statements has not been verified by The Kyiv Independent. The Kremlin has persistently sought to undermine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating on February 18 that President Vladimir Putin is amenable to discussions with Zelensky, contingent upon considering the “legal aspects related to his legitimacy.” This comes despite Putin’s extensive tenure in power spanning over two decades.

Since Russia initiated its full-scale war, Ukraine has refrained from holding elections due to martial law enacted on February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian legal framework mandates that elections be conducted safely, equitably, and without interruptions—requirements currently unfeasible amid ongoing Russian hostilities against civilians and essential infrastructure.

Moreover, Witkoff expressed his belief that Russia poses no threat to Europe, dismissing the alarm regarding a possible Russian offensive across the continent as baseless.

The assertions made by Steve Witkoff regarding the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine remain unconfirmed and highlight the complex political landscape amidst ongoing conflict. While the Kremlin aims to cast doubt on President Zelensky’s legitimacy, the wartime conditions under martial law present significant challenges to holding fair elections. Furthermore, concerns about Russia’s potential aggressions towards Europe are considered unfounded by Witkoff, underscoring the varied perceptions surrounding the conflict.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com