Financial Times says Kyiv is preparing vote tied to potential peace deal, but sources question feasibility amid ongoing war.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to outline plans on Feb. 24 for a presidential election and a national referendum tied to a possible peace agreement with Russia, according to a report by the Financial Times, though individuals familiar with the discussions cautioned that the timeline may not be achievable.
The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, reported that Kyiv has begun preparations for a presidential vote to coincide with a referendum on a prospective settlement with Moscow. The proposed announcement date marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A source familiar with the matter expressed doubt about the practicality of the schedule, telling Reuters that Zelenskyy would be unable to initiate an election and referendum process without first reaching agreement on the terms of a peace deal with Russia.
Kyiv has insisted that security guarantees from the United States and Western allies must be secured before any settlement is finalized. In addition, a ceasefire would be necessary during an election campaign period.
“The Russians do not agree to a deal and they’re not taking steps to end the war so how could there be…steps to hold elections?” the source said.
Ukraine’s presidential office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the Financial Times report.
Holding elections swiftly is part of a 20-point peace framework that Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators have been working to finalize. However, U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi have not resolved disagreements over the status of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, according to sources. Russia continues to carry out attacks, frequently targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the winter months.
Moscow has demanded full control of the Donbas as part of any settlement. Ukraine, which retains control over more than 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) of the region, has rejected that demand. Ukrainian officials have indicated willingness to consider alternative arrangements, including the possibility of establishing a demilitarized or free-trade zone.
Zelenskyy said Saturday that, with U.S. congressional midterm elections approaching, Washington is seeking a resolution to the war by June.
Reuters reported last week that under discussions between Washington and Kyiv, a referendum on any peace agreement would be held concurrently with a presidential election. Sources previously told Reuters that May had been considered as a potential timeframe for both votes.
Multiple individuals familiar with the negotiations characterized that schedule as unrealistic, citing the absence of a finalized peace accord and the substantial logistical requirements of organizing nationwide voting during wartime.
Ukrainian lawmakers and policy experts have formed a working group to draft proposals for legal amendments required to conduct elections.
Presidential and parliamentary elections are currently prohibited under martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Public opinion surveys indicate that a majority of Ukrainians oppose holding elections while the country remains at war.
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