Overview
- Trump renewed calls for immediate elections and said Europe invited the United States to a weekend meeting that could include Zelenskyy, following his call with Merz, Macron and Starmer on ceasefire talks.
- Under martial law, elections are barred, so proceeding would require legislative changes as well as solutions for voting by soldiers, displaced citizens and people from occupied areas.
- The Kremlin has signaled it would not accept a campaign‑period truce and welcomed Trump’s criticism of Kyiv, underscoring the challenge of holding a credible vote during ongoing attacks.
- Kyiv says a revised peace, security and reconstruction package is being finalized but has not yet been delivered to Washington, even as European leaders consult the U.S. on a broader plan.
- Zelenskyy’s position has been dented by the resignation of chief of staff Andriy Yermak in a corruption scandal, and analysts describe the election offer as a tactical move to reshape the diplomatic debate.