SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Sources: Putin Hopes for Ukrainian Puppet Leader

A framework for continued Ukraine negotiations has been presented in Saudi Arabia, according to sources to American Fox News. It will include, among other things, demands for Ukraine to hold new elections. The proposal comes from USA's President Donald Trump, he himself says during a press conference in Florida.

» Updated: February 19 2025

» Published: February 18 2025

Sources: Putin Hopes for Ukrainian Puppet Leader
Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/AP/TT

During a press conference at his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday afternoon local time that the proposal for a Ukrainian presidential election "came from me".

You would never have started it, you could have reached an agreement, Trump said at a press conference and accused, without grounds, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj of the Russian war of aggression.

Trump further claimed, without basis, that Zelenskyj has very low confidence ratings, four percent.

52 percent of Ukrainians trusted Zelenskyj in December, according to the latest survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, reports Financial Times.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hoping for a Puppet President

Trump's statement comes after top diplomats from Russia and the US met for a first meeting in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine was not invited to participate.

Both the US and Russia believe that Zelenskyj has a low chance of winning a re-election, according to several diplomatic sources to Fox News.

In a report from the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the sources state that Russian President Vladimir Putin "assesses the probability of a puppet president being elected as quite high".

The Russian president is also convinced that another candidate than Zelenskyj will be "more flexible and ready for negotiations and concessions", according to the report.

Zelenskyj has said that they will never accept peace terms negotiated without Ukrainian presence.

No Elections During Martial Law

Russia has been questioning the Ukrainian president, citing the fact that his formal term has expired. Ukraine has not held a presidential election during Russia's ongoing invasion and occupation, as martial law prevails.

Kyiv has feared that an election in this situation would jeopardize Ukrainian unity and open up for destabilizing Russian influence campaigns, reports Politico.

Ihor Zjovkva, deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, announced in Brussels on Monday that they had not received any pressure from the US to hold elections.

Not in a single meeting or phone call has this demand been made. Ukraine's view is very simple and in accordance with the law: as long as we have martial law, we cannot hold elections. When martial law no longer applies, a certain transition period is needed.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Heathrow Shuts Down After Fire Sparks Major Power Outage

Heathrow Shuts Down After Fire Sparks Major Power Outage

Russian Security Council Chair Shoigu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russian Security Council Chair Shoigu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Netanyahu's Cabinet Moves to Dismiss Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar

Netanyahu's Cabinet Moves to Dismiss Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

French Doctor Admits to Assaulting 299 Children in Ongoing Trial

French Doctor Admits to Assaulting 299 Children in Ongoing Trial

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Thousands of South Africans Eye US Refugee Status Amid Tensions

Thousands of South Africans Eye US Refugee Status Amid Tensions

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Istanbul Erupts in Protest After Mayor's Arrest Despite Ban

Istanbul Erupts in Protest After Mayor's Arrest Despite Ban

Tourist Survives 7-Hour Avalanche Ordeal in Norway's Lyngen Alps

Tourist Survives 7-Hour Avalanche Ordeal in Norway's Lyngen Alps

Unicef Highlights Gaza's Crisis: Children Face Fear and Uncertainty

Unicef Highlights Gaza's Crisis: Children Face Fear and Uncertainty

Russia and Ukraine Swap 372 POWs with UAE Mediation

Russia and Ukraine Swap 372 POWs with UAE Mediation

Sweden and Allies Urge EU to Fast-Track Ukraine Membership Talks

Sweden and Allies Urge EU to Fast-Track Ukraine Membership Talks

Trump and Zelensky Agree on Ceasefire to Protect Ukraine's Energy Grid

Trump and Zelensky Agree on Ceasefire to Protect Ukraine's Energy Grid

Protests Erupt in Jerusalem Against Netanyahu's Gaza Decisions

Protests Erupt in Jerusalem Against Netanyahu's Gaza Decisions

North Macedonia Shuts Down Unlicensed Nightclubs After Tragic Fire

North Macedonia Shuts Down Unlicensed Nightclubs After Tragic Fire

EU Unveils Readiness 2030: A New Era for European Defense Strategy

EU Unveils Readiness 2030: A New Era for European Defense Strategy

Air Leaks from the Inflatable: Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

Air Leaks from the Inflatable: Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

Zelensky: Speaking with Trump today

Zelensky: Speaking with Trump today