Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent peace proposals to US as Russia eyes election‑linked mobilization

Kyiv’s president Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Thursday that Russia is likely to invoke its presidential election, scheduled for 15 March, as a pretext for announcing a fresh wave of military mobilisation. In a televised address, Zelensky said Russian officials have repeatedly hinted that the vote could be framed as a “national rally” to justify expanding the conscript pool, a move he described as “a transparent attempt to intensify the war effort.” He added that the Kremlin’s narrative would aim to portray the election as a democratic milestone while simultaneously mobilising additional troops for the front lines.

The statement comes amid ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine and follows two previous mobilisation rounds that significantly increased Russia’s active‑duty personnel. Analysts note that a new mobilisation could strain Russia’s already depleted manpower reserves and potentially trigger further sanctions from Western governments. Ukrainian officials affirmed that Kyiv will continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain defensive readiness, while diplomatic channels remain engaged to deter any escalation linked to the upcoming Russian election.