Double vote: possible dates for presidential elections and referendum in Ukraine announced
11 February 09:28
Ukraine has begun planning presidential elections, which are to be held on the same day as a referendum on a peace agreement with Russia.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Financial Times.
What sources are saying about the elections
According to Ukrainian and Western officials, as well as people familiar with the situation, the move comes amid pressure on Kyiv from the White House to conclude peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in the spring.
Preparations began after the Trump administration demanded that both votes be held by May 15. Otherwise, the country risks losing the security guarantees offered by the US.
Sources also say that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to announce the presidential election and referendum on February 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Sources close to Zelensky say that he and his team have made it clear to the Trump administration that they are prepared for an extremely tight schedule, despite the logistical difficulties of holding elections in wartime.
According to the work schedule, in March and April, the Verkhovna Rada will be busy making the necessary legal changes that will allow elections to be held in wartime.
At the same time, the FT writes in several more paragraphs that Ukrainian and Western officials have stressed that neither the schedule nor the US ultimatum is likely to be met, as they depend on a number of factors, including the possibility of progress in a peace agreement with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
At the same time, this plan “underscores Zelensky’s desire to maximize his chances of re-election while reassuring US President Donald Trump that Kyiv will not delay the achievement of a peace agreement if it is reached.”
What will happen to the guarantees
US President Donald Trump has made it clear to Kyiv that American security guarantees depend on the conclusion of a broader peace agreement, which is likely to include the transfer of Donbas to Russia, and which Washington wants to finalize by May 15.
Officials have warned that the Trump administration has set deadlines before that have passed, but Washington is leaving Kyiv very little room for maneuver ahead of the US midterm elections.
Ending the war in Ukraine
A few days ago, Reuters also reported that US and Ukrainian negotiators had discussed the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Russia as early as March 2026, with elections and a referendum to be held in May.
Less than a day later, Zelensky publicly stated that the US was proposing that the parties end the war before the beginning of summer, adding that Washington could exert diplomatic pressure in accordance with this schedule.
At the same time, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told reporters on February 10 that Washington had not set any “deadlines.” According to him, America wants the fighting to end as soon as possible.
He also spoke about security guarantees. When asked why Zelensky and Trump have not yet signed the document, Whitaker said that it will happen when “it is appropriate.”
