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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly gearing up to announce a presidential election alongside a referendum on a prospective peace agreement with Russia. This announcement is anticipated to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24.
According to a report by the Financial Times, which cites both Ukrainian and European officials involved in the preparation, the presidential election — in which Zelenskyy intends to run for another term — and a nationwide referendum could take place by May 15.
The publication highlighted that Kyiv might jeopardize its chances of securing proposed security assurances from the United States if it fails to conduct both votes by the specified date.
While previous deadlines set by the U.S. have passed without immediate consequence, the Financial Times mentions that American officials are exerting increased pressure on Ukraine, especially with the U.S. midterm elections approaching in November.
A notable image captures a ballot box designated for voters with elevated temperatures at a polling station during the Ukrainian local elections in Rubizhne, Luhansk Region, on October 25, 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kovalyov Oleksiy/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
It added that the timeline could also be complicated by the wide gap between Moscow and Kyiv on key territorial issues, including control of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as well as the need for parliament to amend legislation because martial law currently bars national elections during wartime.
Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.Â
In several lengthy posts on X in December, he argued that two key factors would determine whether voting is possible: security and legislation.
A woman casts her ballot at a mobile polling station during early voting in Russia’s presidential election in Donetsk, Russian-occupied Ukraine, on March 14, 2024. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy said voting can only take place on Ukrainian-controlled territory and must ensure the participation of soldiers defending the country. Elections cannot be held in Russian-occupied areas, he explained, because of concerns over how they would be conducted.
He also suggested that a ceasefire, at least for the duration of an election or referendum, may be necessary to guarantee secure conditions, including protected airspace and the presence of international observers.
The reported deadline from the Trump administration comes after The Associated Press reported that Washington is aiming for the war to end by June.
Ukrainian servicemen vote at a polling station during Ukraine’s parliamentary elections in Velyki Mosty, Lviv Oblast, on July 21, 2019. (Mykola Tys/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine were held in Abu Dhabi in early February, where the sides met twice but emerged with only a limited breakthrough — agreeing to a 314-person prisoner exchange, the first such swap in five months.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington and Moscow agreed to reestablish a military-to-military dialogue, calling the channel “crucial to achieving and maintaining peace.”
He said trilateral discussions would continue in the coming weeks after the delegations report back to their respective capitals.