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Elon Musk backed Trump’s call for Ukrainian elections during wartime, criticizing Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy accused Trump of being misled by Russian disinformation.
Musk said that Zelensky cannot take a call on representing Ukrainian people without holding elections. (Image: AP)
Amid a war of words between Unites States President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not holding Presidential elections in the war-torn European nation, Elon Musk also jumped in to support the call for polls.
Notably, Ukrainian law does not require elections during wartime.
Replying to a post on X, billionaire businessman and the head of newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of Trump 2.0 administration, Elon Musk called for “restoration” of freedom of press and Presidential elections.
Zelensky cannot claim to represent the will of the people of Ukraine unless he restores freedom of the press and stops canceling elections! Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 19, 2025
Musk said that Zelenskyy cannot take a call on representing Ukrainian people without holding elections.
“Zelensky cannot claim to represent the will of the people of Ukraine unless he restores freedom of the press and stops canceling elections!(sic),” Musk tweeted.
Musk replied to a post that mentioned about US elections that happened during the Civil War and the World War II.
Trump Calls Zelenskyy A ‘Dictator’
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections”.
Trump’s remarks came following a meeting between the US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia seeking a possible settlement to the Ukraine conflict, which left Kyiv unimpressed as its representatives were not called in the meeting.
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform of the Ukrainian leader, whose five-year term expired last year.
Reacting to Trump’s remarks that also mentioned his popularity rating, Zelensky said that the US President was living in a Russian “disinformation” bubble.
The Ukrainian leader also accused Washington of helping end Russian President Vladimir Putin’s international isolation, and said he wanted security guarantees from Kyiv’s allies that could enable the war to end this year.
“Unfortunately, President Trump, for whom we have great respect as leader of the American people… lives in this disinformation space,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv, accusing Moscow of misleading Trump.
Calling for presidential elections in Ukraine, which are banned under martial law, Trump said Zelenskyy was “down at four percent approval rating”.
Zelenskyy said the figure “comes from Russia”.
Zelenskyy To Meet US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg
In a latest development, Zelenskyy said that he will hold a meeting with President Trump’s representative, Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Friday.
A lot of meetings and briefings—military command, intelligence, ministers—all in preparation for talks with President Trump’s representative, General Kellogg, who is already in Kyiv.Our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, and it is crucial that this discussion—and our overall… pic.twitter.com/vuWOrpABbf
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 19, 2025
In a post on X, Zelenskyy on Thursday, wrote, “A lot of meetings and briefings—military command, intelligence, ministers—all in preparation for talks with President Trump’s representative, General Kellogg, who is already in Kyiv. Our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, and it is crucial that this discussion—and our overall cooperation with the U.S.—remains constructive(sic).”
Emphasising on synergy required from his allies to de-escalate the conflict with Russia, Zelenskyy wrote, “Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure, and that is our goal. But most importantly, this goal must be shared by our partners, not just by us(sic).”
