Trump administration expects Zelensky to plan elections, cede territory for U.S. aid resumption, report claims
By isabelle // 2025-03-11
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  • The Trump administration is pressuring Ukraine to consider territorial concessions and prepare for elections as conditions for resuming U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing.
  • U.S. officials urge Ukraine to make "difficult" decisions, including ceding Russian-occupied territories, to achieve peace amid a costly stalemate.
  • Zelensky faces criticism for canceling elections under martial law, with Trump labeling him a "dictator" and pushing for electoral reforms.
  • The U.S. demands tangible progress in peace talks, including territorial compromises, as a prerequisite for restarting aid, beyond a signed minerals deal.
  • Ukraine’s military struggles persist, with halted U.S. intelligence sharing weakening its position, while Russia continues to advance in key regions.
The Trump administration may pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to prepare for elections and consider territorial concessions to Russia as conditions for the resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. The demands, revealed in a recent NBC report, come as American and Ukrainian officials meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential path to ending the nearly three-year-long war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that Ukraine must be willing to make "difficult" decisions, including ceding land occupied by Russia since 2014, to achieve peace. The push for elections and territorial compromises underscores the growing frustration in Washington over Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support for what many see as an unwinnable war. With Ukrainian forces struggling to reclaim annexed territories and Russia showing no signs of retreating from Crimea, the Trump administration is urging Kyiv to adopt a more pragmatic approach to negotiations.

Elections and territorial concessions take center stage

Zelensky’s leadership has come under scrutiny as his term technically expired in May 2024. While Ukraine’s parliament has upheld the constitutionality of his wartime mandate, critics, including President Donald Trump, have labeled him a "dictator" for canceling elections under martial law. Trump has privately insisted that Zelensky must demonstrate a willingness to hold elections and even consider stepping down as part of broader peace efforts. “The most important thing that we have to leave here with is a strong sense that Ukraine is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things, to end this conflict or at least pause it in some way, shape or form,” Rubio told reporters en route to Jeddah. The territorial concessions being discussed would involve Ukraine relinquishing claims to regions annexed by Russia since 2014, including Crimea, which has long been a strategic stronghold for Moscow. While such a move would be politically explosive for Zelensky, U.S. officials argue that it may be the only realistic path to ending the bloodshed.

U.S. aid hinges on Ukraine’s willingness to compromise

The Trump administration has made clear that a signed minerals deal, which would grant the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s natural resources, is not enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing. Instead, Washington is demanding tangible progress toward peace talks, including Zelensky’s openness to territorial compromises and electoral reforms. “As President Trump demonstrated by reading President Zelenskyy’s message at the joint session, the Ukrainians have made positive movement. With meetings in Saudi this coming week, we look forward to hearing more positive movement that will hopefully ultimately end this brutal war and bloodshed,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes. However, the Kremlin has denied reports of upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, casting doubt on the prospects for a near-term breakthrough. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian attacks, with civilian casualties mounting in the Donetsk region.

A war of attrition with no end in sight

Despite billions in Western aid, Ukraine’s military prospects remain grim. Analysts widely agree that Kyiv is unlikely to reclaim the annexed territories, and the war has devolved into a costly stalemate. The pause in U.S. intelligence sharing has further weakened Ukraine’s position, leaving it vulnerable to Russian advances. “Every day hurts Ukraine, and every day gives Russia a more favorable position,” a Western official told NBC News. While the U.S. continues to provide defensive intelligence to help Ukraine fend off attacks, it has halted the sharing of targeting information, limiting Kyiv’s ability to strike Russian positions. European allies are attempting to fill the gap, but the lack of American support is taking a toll. As the war drags on, the Trump administration’s demands for elections and territorial concessions highlight the growing divide between Washington and Kyiv. While Ukraine remains committed to defending its sovereignty, the reality on the ground suggests that a negotiated settlement may be the only viable option. For Zelensky, the path forward will require balancing domestic political pressures with the harsh realities of a conflict that shows no signs of ending. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NBCNews.com NYTimes.com
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