Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly planning to announce a and a referendum on a potential peace deal to end the war with Russia, with the declaration expected on Feb. 24—the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, that both a presidential vote (in which Zelenskyy would seek re-election) and a nationwide referendum could be held by May 15.
The outlet said Kyiv might risk losing proposed U.S. security guarantees if it fails to hold both votes by that date.
The Financial Times noted that while earlier U.S.-imposed deadlines have passed, American officials are exerting greater pressure on Ukraine this time as the loom.
It added that the timeline could also be complicated by significant disagreements with Moscow over 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, since martial law currently prohibits national elections during wartime.
Zelenskyy previously emphasized that the timing and format of any elections are decisions exclusively for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any notion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.
In several lengthy X posts from December, he argued that two key factors would determine if voting is possible: security and legislation.
Zelenskyy stated that voting can only occur on Ukrainian-controlled territory and must include the participation of soldiers defending the country. He explained that elections cannot be held in Russian-occupied areas due to concerns about how they would be administered.
He also suggested that , at least for the duration of an election or referendum, might be needed to ensure secure conditions—including protected airspace and the presence of international observers.
The reported deadline from the Trump administration follows an Associated Press report that Washington is targeting an end to the war by June.
Trilateral talks involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine were held in , where the parties met twice but achieved only a limited breakthrough: agreeing to a 314-person prisoner exchange, the first such swap in five months.
said Washington and Moscow had agreed to reestablish a military-to-military dialogue, describing the channel as “crucial to achieving and maintaining peace.”
He stated that trilateral discussions would continue in the coming weeks once the delegations report back to their respective capitals.