Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025.

As President Donald Trump sat down Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss bringing an end to Russia’s three-year war, he was confronted with the fact that Ukraine has not been able to hold elections amid the brutal fighting.

Zelenskyy had fielded a question from a reporter on whether he would be open to elections upon reaching a peace agreement.

“Yes, of course,” the Ukrainian leader said, noting that the government would need to ensure the polls would be safe and secure.

Trump then jumped in: “So, you’re saying, during the war you can’t have elections. So let me just say, 3 and a half years from now, so, you mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections.”

“Oh, that’s good. I wonder what the fake news would say,” Trump added.

The comment, making light of the American tradition of a peaceful transfer of power, elicited some chuckles from those gathered in the packed Oval Office.

“You like this idea,” Zelenskyy responded with a laugh.

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