During a briefing with reporters in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained that elections cannot be held amid the ongoing war, a point that provoked a light‑hearted reply from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump’s Joke During the Conversation with Zelensky
Yes, we are open to holding elections, Zelensky stated during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office. A question about conducting elections in Ukraine amid the war was answered: it will only be possible after the war ends. “If a war is going on, elections cannot be held. We need a cease‑fire everywhere—on the battlefield, in the air, at sea—to allow for democratic, open, legal elections,” said the president.
Trump, sitting beside Zelensky, replied, “So you say that during a war you can’t have elections? That means, for the next three and a half years, if we’re at war, there will be no elections,” joking, which made Zelensky laugh. Trump added, “That’s good.”3.5 years. Trump has previously suggested he might serve more than two terms, a prospect that experts say is unconstitutional.
Ukraine‑US Talks
In Washington, a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian leaders is ongoing. President Trump, during his conversation with Zelensky, was joined by Vice‑President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and ambassadors Greg Keller and Steve Witkoff. Beside the Ukrainian president, cabinet chief Andrij Jermak and former defense minister Rustem Umierow sat. Previously Zelensky met with Keller. “We are ready to continue working with maximum effort to end the war and ensure lasting security,” he wrote after the meeting.
Washington Summit
The conversation between Trump and Zelensky began after 7 p.m. By 9 p.m. European leaders were expected to join. On Monday, the European Commission chief, presidents of France and Finland, German chancellor, and prime ministers from the United Kingdom and Italy arrived in Washington with Zelensky.
