Ukraine aims to announce election plan on Feb 24, says FT; source is sceptical
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could not set elections and a referendum in motion without first agreeing on the terms of a peace deal with Russia, said a source.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Ukrainian President Zelensky reportedly plans to announce a presidential election and peace referendum on February 24, according to the Financial Times.
- Sources doubt the February 24 timetable, citing no peace deal with Russia, martial law, and the need for security guarantees and a ceasefire.
- The US and Ukraine are developing a peace framework including an election and referendum, aiming for a solution by June, despite Donbas disagreements.
AI generated
KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends on Feb 24 to announce plans for a presidential election and a referendum, the Financial Times said on Feb 11, but a source familiar with the matter told Reuters the timetable appeared unrealistic.
Citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine had begun planning for a presidential election to be held alongside a referendum on a prospective peace deal with Russia.
Feb 24 is the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Asked about the Financial Times article, the source familiar with the matter expressed scepticism, saying Mr Zelensky could not set elections and a referendum in motion without first agreeing on the terms of a peace deal with Russia.
Kyiv wants security guarantees in place from the United States and Western allies before any peace deal is agreed, and would need a ceasefire during an election campaign.
“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.
The Ukrainian presidency did not respond to a request for comment on the Financial Times’ report.
No breakthrough announced at peace talks
Organising an election as soon as possible is part of a 20-point peace framework that Ukrainian and US negotiators have been working to finalise.
US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi have failed to resolve differences over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, sources say, and Russia has pressed on with attacks often focused on Ukrainian energy facilities in the depths of a harsh winter.
Russia wants control of the entire Donbas under any peace settlement. Ukraine, which still controls more than 5,180 sq km of Donbas, rules this out but Ukrainian officials have expressed openness to exploring solutions such as creating a demilitarised or free-trade zone.
Mr Zelensky said on Feb 7 that, with US Congressional mid-term elections looming, Washington wants a solution found on how to end the war by June.
Reuters reported last week that, under the framework being discussed by the US and Ukraine, Kyiv would hold a referendum on any peace agreement alongside an election.
US and Ukrainian officials had discussed the possibility of an election and referendum being held in May, sources told Reuters.
Several sources familiar with the negotiations said that timetable was unrealistic as there was still no peace deal and the logistics for such a vote were considerable.
Ukrainian lawmakers and experts have started a working group to draft proposals for legal changes needed to hold an election.
Although US President Donald Trump wants elections held, they are banned under martial law in force since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and a majority of Ukrainians oppose a wartime ballot. REUTERS
