Reuters: The U.S. advocates for elections to take place in Ukraine by the end of the year.

In an interview with Reuters, Kellogg pointed out that "most democratic countries hold elections even during wartime." He described the conduct of elections as "important" for democracy in Ukraine.

It is unclear which specific historical precedent Kellogg was referencing when discussing elections during wartime. In the United States, presidential and parliamentary elections were held during World War II; however, unlike Ukraine, combat operations were virtually nonexistent on U.S. soil. In the United Kingdom, for example, elections occurred only after the conclusion of the war in Europe, in the summer of 1945.

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine were supposed to take place last year, as the terms of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the current parliamentary assembly were expiring. However, they have been postponed indefinitely because, under the martial law in effect across Ukraine, conducting elections is prohibited by law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who - in the absence of real competition and, as his opponents claim, with a predetermined outcome - was re-elected last year for a fifth term, asserts that Zelensky lost legitimacy after his five-year term ended last year. Ukrainian law stipulates that the president continues to fulfill his duties until new elections are held.

Reuters, citing two sources, notes that the Trump administration views conducting elections in Ukraine as a crucial element in efforts to reach an agreement with Russia to end the war. It is reported that the Trump administration is discussing the possibility for Ukraine to negotiate a temporary ceasefire, hold elections, and then, with new elected leadership, engage in negotiations with Russia for a permanent peace agreement. There has been no official statement that the U.S. may propose such a scheme to Ukraine; the discussions are informal.

Zelensky previously stated that holding elections this year is possible, but only if a ceasefire is achieved and Ukraine receives security guarantees. Kyiv has not yet responded to the Reuters publication.

Earlier, in an interview with Fox News, Kit Kellogg stated that Donald Trump's team has a reliable plan to end hostilities and initiate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The special envoy noted that Trump "knows where to push and where not to push." "But more importantly, he will create leverage for both Ukrainians and Russians," Kellogg said, clarifying that the president's team is working towards achieving success.

In the special envoy's view, it may be possible to achieve a ceasefire within a timeframe measured in months rather than years.

• During the campaign, Donald Trump promised to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as quickly as possible. On January 31, Trump spoke about "serious discussions" with Moscow but did not provide details. The Kremlin noted that no proposals have been received from Trump's team yet.
• Moscow previously outlined conditions for starting peace negotiations: withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, recognition of these territories as part of Russia, a neutral status for Ukraine, and lifting sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called this an ultimatum, insisting on NATO security guarantees and the continuation of arms supplies.