Zelenskyy and Peace Promises, Abrego Garcia Release, Indiana Rejects Redistricting
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What is President Zelenskyy's stance on holding elections in Ukraine?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is willing to hold elections. He is also willing to discuss giving up territory to Russia, but only if Ukrainians vote for it. How would that work? I'm Michelle Martin with Steve Inskeep, and this is Up First from NPR News. A man illegally deported by the Trump administration in March and eventually returned is now free from immigration custody. The Trump administration says it will appeal Kilmar Obrego-Garcia's court-ordered release.
What conditions would allow Ukraine to discuss territorial concessions?
Plus, Republicans in Indiana reject a redistricting proposal. President Trump successfully pushed other states to help Republicans win next year's midterm elections. So why did Indiana's Republicans break with the president? Stay with us for the news you need to start your day.
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How has the Trump administration responded to Zelenskyy's proposals?
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Ukraine's president has an answer to pressure from the Trump administration. The US wants Ukraine to surrender territory as part of a peace deal with Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky says for that to happen, the Ukrainian people would have to speak through a referendum.
What is the significance of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release?
Zelensky and other Europeans are offering answers and alternatives to Trump's bid to end the war. The US approach seems to favor Russia, although Russia has not accepted that either.
NPR's Joanna Kikis is in Kyiv as she has been through much of this war and she's with us now. Good morning, Joanna. Good morning, Michelle. Why would Zelensky talk about elections now?
Well, he is responding to pressure from President Trump and he's also trying to work with Europeans. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that they are proposing a ceasefire that would be backed by strong security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe.
What legal issues surrounded Abrego Garcia's deportation?
He also said that Ukraine is willing to discuss territorial concessions, but that Trump must understand that the final decision is up to Ukrainians. Here's Merz. He's saying it would be a mistake to force the Ukrainian president into a peace that his people will not accept after four years of suffering and death.
And then Zelensky says there would have to be a vote. Why say that?
Why did Indiana Republicans reject the redistricting proposal?
Well, Zelensky has been walking something of a tightrope, but he is engaging with even the most painful proposals by the Trump administration to show that Ukraine is negotiating in good faith. At the same time, he knows giving up territory has always been a red line for Ukrainians.
You know, and this is interesting because Trump has been saying that Ukraine should hold elections. How does that fit in?
Well, Trump said recently that Zelensky's government is using the war to avoid elections. And this echoes what the Kremlin has been saying, which they say Zelensky is not a legitimate president because his term expired last year.
What impact does Trump's influence have on redistricting efforts in other states?
But there is also a good reason that there have not been Ukrainian elections. Ukraine is under martial law because of Russia's invasion, and Ukraine's constitution forbids holding elections during wartime. Nevertheless, Zelensky said he is examining the possibility of elections over the next 90 days or even a referendum on giving up parts of eastern Ukraine in exchange for ending the war. He's saying if this is something our key partner in Washington wants, we have to look into it.
So could elections in Ukraine be imminent?
Well, there are many obstacles to that. Ivana Klimpushtinsada, she's a member of Ukraine's parliament.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is President Zelenskyy's stance on holding elections in Ukraine?
0:02–0:32
2
What conditions would allow Ukraine to discuss territorial concessions?
0:32–1:01
3
How has the Trump administration responded to Zelenskyy's proposals?
1:01–1:58
4
What is the significance of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release?
1:58–2:29
5
What legal issues surrounded Abrego Garcia's deportation?
2:29–2:53
6
Why did Indiana Republicans reject the redistricting proposal?
2:53–3:26
7
What impact does Trump's influence have on redistricting efforts in other states?
3:26–4:04
8
How does public opinion affect the possibility of elections in Ukraine?
4:04–13:51
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from Up First from NPR
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