Speaking in a Politico interview released Dec. 9, President Trump said Ukraine should hold a new presidential vote despite the war. Trump said Russia holds the negotiating upper hand and characterized Ukraine as losing ground due to territorial losses. He urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to read a U.S.-crafted peace framework, claiming senior Ukrainian aides reacted positively but that Zelensky had not reviewed it. Talks have focused on Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede the Donbas and Ukraine’s push for strong U.S. security guarantees, with Zelensky rejecting territorial concessions. Asked about Donald Trump Jr.’s remark that the U.S. might walk away from Ukraine, Trump called it "not correct" yet "not exactly wrong."
