Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to announce his election plan and a potential referendum on 24 February, the anniversary of the Russian invasion, according to the Financial Times.
US urges early vote
US officials have reportedly pressured Zelensky to hold both the presidential election and the referendum by 15 May, warning that delays could affect Ukraine’s security guarantees.
US-Ukrainian negotiators discussed a March target to reach a peace agreement with Moscow, though sources noted the timeline remains ambitious due to unresolved territorial disputes.
Referendum alongside national elections
Sources told Reuters that any peace agreement would go to a referendum for Ukrainian voters, who would also participate in national elections simultaneously.
The US negotiation team, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and former Trump adviser Jared Kushner, urged Ukrainian counterparts to hold the vote soon during recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami.
Next trilateral talks planned
The second round of US-mediated talks concluded on 5 February in Abu Dhabi with the release of 314 prisoners of war and a commitment to resume negotiations. Zelensky said the next trilateral meeting would likely take place soon in the US.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not accept any agreement negotiated solely between the US and Russia, particularly regarding contested territories.
Challenges for rapid voting
US and Ukrainian officials discussed holding elections and a referendum in May, but sources described the schedule as overly ambitious.
Ukrainian electoral authorities estimate it would take about six months to organise elections under current conditions. Organising the vote would require legislative changes since voting is prohibited under martial law and would also incur significant costs.
Ukraine demands a ceasefire during the electoral campaign to ensure the referendum’s integrity, citing Moscow’s history of violating truces.
Russia sets timeline for peace document
A Russian source told TASS that preparing a peace document could take at least 1.5 months. The work is complex and gradual, and may require additional time depending on all sides’ cooperation and readiness to resolve core differences.
Source: skai.gr
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