AI Brief
- President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States to allow Ukraine to independently decide on holding elections amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
- Zelensky stated that open and democratic elections are currently impossible and highlighted the need for voting access for all Ukrainians, including those at the front.
- Zelensky discussed defense cooperation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on missile interceptors, early warning systems, and restoring Starlink services.
UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to let Ukraine independently determine the issue of elections for itself during an interview with an Italian media outlet on Tuesday.
On Oct 10, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to hold an election and replace Zelensky with a new leader who could reach a deal with Russia, accusing Zelensky of being unwilling to negotiate a settlement to end the conflict.
Zelensky noted that Russia is raising the issue of elections because it expects that a change of president will ease its pressure. He then expressed surprise that the United States is taking a similar stance.
The Ukrainian President said that open and democratic elections -- with the presence of Western observers -- are impossible under the current situation.
Conducting elections must provide voting opportunities for service members at the front, Ukrainians abroad, and citizens residing within the country, Zelensky added.
On the same day, Zelensky said that he had discussed defense cooperation over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The talks focused on providing ballistic missile interceptors, early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, and the need to restore Starlink/Starshield services, Zelensky said in a post on X, adding that diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict were also discussed.
Zelensky thanked Rubio for "his readiness to help and his clear position", describing the conversation as "substantive" and "constructive".
Zelensky said the two sides agreed to speak again soon for an update.
Speaking to reporters in India on the same day, Rubio confirmed the phone talk while denied that the Trump administration has made any changes to previous intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
