Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko — two of Volodymyr Zelensky’s past political opponents — have confirmed that they spoke with members of Donald Trump’s administration. However, they categorically deny discussing the possibility of holding elections during wartime.
The rebuttal follows a Politico report claiming that four members of Trump’s entourage had held secret negotiations with Poroshenko, Tymoshenko, and other Ukrainian politicians regarding a potential presidential election in Ukraine, where the 2024 vote was postponed in line with the country’s constitution, which prohibits holding elections under martial law.
“The Trump aides are confident that Zelensky would lose any vote due to war fatigue and public frustration over rampant corruption. Indeed, his poll ratings have been in decline for years, although they have picked up in the wake of last week’s Oval Office brawl, when the Ukrainian leader was shown the door after being berated by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance,” Politico wrote.
The most recent poll by British agency Survation shows Zelensky still comfortably ahead in the race for the presidency, with 44% of respondents backing the incumbent.
In a recent statement, Poroshenko stressed that his team is working “publicly and transparently” with its partners in Washington to maintain bipartisan U.S. support for Ukraine’s ongoing defensive efforts.
Poroshenko added that discussions with American officials have always been based on two key principles: “security above all, and peace through strength.” According to Ukraine’s former president, the talks are focused on arms supplies, intelligence sharing, sanctions against Russia, financial assistance, and maintaining transatlantic unity. He firmly reiterated that his team is strongly opposed to holding elections while the war is ongoing.
Tymoshenko, the leader of the Batkivshchyna (lit. “Fatherland”) party, also confirmed that negotiations are underway with all allies who can contribute to achieving a “just peace as soon as possible.” “Until that moment, and I have said this more than once, there is no question of holding any elections in Ukraine,” stressed the former PM. Tymoshenko added that Ukraine would be ready for discussions on post-war reconstruction under the “strong leadership” of President Trump.
Poroshenko further added that elections in Ukraine can only take place after a ceasefire is achieved and a peace agreement with security guarantees is signed. According to Ukraine’s constitution, free and democratic elections must be held no later than 180 days after these conditions are met. Poroshenko also recalled that his administration ensured fair elections in 2019 — which resulted in Zelensky’s victory.