Trump’s Envoy Witkoff Affirms Ukraine’s Commitment to Presidential Elections
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, claims Ukraine will hold presidential elections, despite ongoing martial law. Carlson questions Zelensky’s legitimacy, while Witkoff confirms elections are agreed upon. The Kremlin undermines Zelensky’s position; elections are currently impossible under martial law. Witkoff believes Russia will not attack Europe, dismissing fears of expansion.
On March 21, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, stated in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Ukraine intends to conduct presidential elections. Witkoff confirmed that the leadership in Kyiv has agreed to hold these elections, although he did not provide specific details.
Carlson, reflecting a Russian narrative, expressed that Moscow views President Volodymyr Zelensky as “not elected” and therefore unable to engage in treaties. Witkoff affirmed the likelihood of elections occurring in Ukraine, countering Carlson’s concerns but not elaborating further.
Despite Witkoff’s assertions, the Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify his claims. The Kremlin’s strategy has been to question Zelensky’s legitimacy to weaken Kyiv’s position. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously stated that while Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to discussions with Zelensky, the legal legitimacy issues surrounding Zelensky’s role must be addressed.
Since the onset of the war, Ukraine has been unable to conduct elections due to a martial law declared following the invasion on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian legislation mandates that elections must be safe, fair, and uninterrupted, which is impractical amid ongoing Russian military aggression against civilians and infrastructure.
In the conversation, Witkoff confidently asserted that Russia has no intention of invading Europe, dismissing worries regarding a potential Russian offensive on the continent as exaggerated.
In summary, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff claims that Ukraine’s leadership has agreed to hold presidential elections amid ongoing conflict. However, the legitimacy of President Zelensky is disputed by Moscow. The current martial law in Ukraine prohibits elections due to safety concerns, highlighting the complex political and military landscape in the region. Witkoff also expressed confidence that Russia would not target Europe, framing concerns about a broader invasion as unfounded.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
