Amid the tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on delaying presidential elections in conflict-ridden Ukraine, billionaire Elon Musk also chimed in on the side of calling for elections.
As has been emphasized, Ukrainian law doesn't require elections under war conditions.
In reaction to a tweet on X, Musk, the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump 2.0, advocated for the "restoration" of press freedom and presidential elections.
Musk said Zelenskyy cannot claim to speak on behalf of the Ukrainian people unless he reinstated freedom of the press and halted canceling elections! "Zelensky cannot claim to represent the will of the people of Ukraine unless he restores freedom of the press and stops canceling elections!" Musk tweeted.
Musk's remark came as a response to a debate about U.S. elections during the Civil War and World War II.
Trump Calls Zelenskyy A 'Dictator'
Earlier, Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections." The comment came after a meeting between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, where there was negotiation on the possibility of an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Kyiv was not pleased, as its representatives were not invited to the meeting.
A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move quickly or he is not going to have a Country left," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site, addressing the Ukrainian president whose five-year term ended last year.
Zelenskyy responded by brushing off Trump's remarks, blaming the U.S. President for being swayed by Russian "disinformation." He also blamed Washington for inadvertently assisting Russian President Vladimir Putin's global isolation, and said he wanted security guarantees from Ukraine's allies to assist in ending the war within a year.
"Regrettably, President Trump, whom we have tremendous respect for as the leader of the American people… resides in this space of disinformation," Zelenskyy told a press conference in Kyiv, blaming Moscow for misleading Trump.
Trump also referenced Zelenskyy's sagging approval rating and demanded elections in Ukraine, which are now banned under martial law. Trump asserted that Zelenskyy's approval had fallen to "four percent," a number Zelenskyy dismissed as "coming from Russia."
Zelenskyy To Meet U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg
In another development, Zelenskyy said he would be meeting with U.S. President Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv on Friday.
On X, Zelenskyy posted, "Many meetings and briefings—military command, intelligence, ministers—all in preparation for negotiations with President Trump's envoy, General Kellogg, who is already here in Kyiv. Our meeting is set for tomorrow, and it is essential that this conversation—and our cooperation with the U.S., overall—remains constructive."
Zelenskyy underscored the necessity of close cooperation with allies to calm the conflict with Russia, declaring, "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."
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