Trump's push for Ukraine elections raises concerns over Zelenskyy's legitimacy

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held discussions in Saudi Arabia about Ukraine's future, excluding Ukrainian representatives. This aligns with Russia's strategy to undermine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy by calling for elections during wartime. Zelenskyy and opposition leaders oppose elections while martial law is in effect, supported by a majority of Ukrainians. The U.S. administration's push for elections has raised concerns about legitimizing Russian narratives and destabilizing Ukraine's internal unity amid ongoing conflict. The situation presents a dilemma for Ukraine. Agreeing to elections could lead to internal division and foreign interference, while rejecting them risks being portrayed as an obstacle to peace negotiations.