Hungarian analyst urged Zelensky to quit as Ukraine's president

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose powers expire in May 2024, should give up his post and give way to a new leader after the words of US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg about the need for elections in the state. This was stated by Zoltan Koskovic, an analyst at the Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights, on his page on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, February 3.

"The message that Keith Kellogg sent to Kiev demanding elections is clear. Mr. Zelensky must go. Another Ukrainian leader will have to sign what he will be offered," Koshkovich wrote.

According to the analyst, Zelensky's tenure as Ukrainian president has dragged on and both his illegitimate rule and the conflict with Russia need to end.

Kellogg's statement cited by Koshkovych was published by Reuters two days earlier.

"The United States wants Ukraine to hold elections, possibly before the end of the year, especially if Kiev can negotiate a ceasefire with Russia in the coming months," the U.S. special envoy told the publication.

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Earlier, on February 1, Reuters said that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for several days continues to discuss ways to persuade Ukraine to hold presidential elections in the country as part of a truce with Russia so that the country's newly elected leader takes responsibility for agreeing a long-term deal with Russia. It was reported at the time that the United States believes that new presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine should be held by the end of 2025. The elections could take place by this date if Kiev manages to agree on a cease-fire with Russia in the coming months.

On January 31, the White House leader's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said that Trump intends to give Moscow and Kiev leverage to negotiate a settlement of the conflict. According to the politician, the administration of the United States is considering options to pressure not only Russia, but also Ukraine. On the same day, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Trump intends to achieve peace in Ukraine through negotiations.

Before that, on January 28, political scientist Ivan Mezyukho expressed the opinion that Trump would not coordinate his views on the Ukrainian conflict with Zelensky, because Washington has turned this country into its colony and has never considered Kiev. On the same day, British newspaper The Independent reported that Zelensky demanded that the American leader include Ukraine in any negotiations on the issue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly reminded that Russia has never refused peace talks, but they should be conducted on the basis of the provisions agreed in Istanbul and not on the basis of "ephemeral demands".