The United States and Ukraine are discussing a possible peace agreement with Russia by March. They are also talking about holding a referendum and national elections in May. Reuters reported this, citing its own sources.
According to the agency, American and Ukrainian negotiators discussed a fast timetable to end the war. However, participants in the talks doubt it can be achieved. The main reason is the lack of agreement on territorial issues.
Territorial Disputes, Elections, and Positions of the Sides
Reuters writes that any peace agreement would be submitted to a nationwide referendum. Voting could happen at the same time as presidential and parliamentary elections. Sources said the US negotiation team, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, urged Kyiv not to delay the process during meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami.
Washington explains the urgency with the upcoming US congressional midterm elections. Reuters reports that President Donald Trump will soon focus more on domestic issues. Because of this, the administration fears losing time and political resources needed for a peace deal.
The second round of US-mediated talks ended in Abu Dhabi with the exchange of prisoners of war. The sides also agreed to continue the dialogue. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the next trilateral meeting could take place in the United States.
Reuters also reports that the sides discussed the possibility of holding elections and a referendum in May. Meanwhile, Ukrainian election authorities estimate that preparation will take at least six months. Legislative changes are needed because voting is prohibited during martial law.
Kyiv insists on a ceasefire during the campaign and demands security guarantees from the US and its partners. The main disagreements remain over territorial issues and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russia wants full authority over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the plant. Ukraine considers these conditions unacceptable.
Reuters writes that Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and part of the east. At the same time, most Ukrainians still oppose any territorial concessions, even in exchange for Western security guarantees.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that on the night of February 7, Russia carried out another large-scale strike on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
