According to Reuters, US and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an accelerated framework under which any peace deal would be put to a nationwide referendum while Ukrainian voters simultaneously participate in national elections.
However, multiple sources told Reuters that the proposed timeline is likely to slip, with the territorial question particularly the future of eastern Ukraine remaining unresolved.
Several officials described the US proposed schedule as overly optimistic, noting that Ukraine’s election authorities estimate it would take roughly six months to organize a vote under current conditions.
US Urgency Linked to Domestic Politics
Reuters reported that the US negotiating team, led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, has urged Ukrainian counterparts to hold a vote as soon as possible.
Meetings between US and Ukrainian officials took place in Abu Dhabi and Miami, where American negotiators warned that Trump is expected to shift focus to domestic issues as the November congressional midterm elections approach.
Two sources said this would reduce the political capital and time available to push through a peace agreement.
May Vote Discussed, Martial Law Complicates Plans
Two sources told Reuters that officials discussed the possibility of holding both the referendum and national elections in May. However, Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections under martial law, meaning legislative changes would be required.
Organizing such a vote would also be expensive and logistically complex. Kyiv has said it would need a comprehensive ceasefire throughout the campaign to ensure the integrity of the process, citing Russia’s history of violating previous truces.
“The Americans are in a hurry,” one source told Reuters, adding that while a vote could be organized in less than six months, it would still take substantial preparation.
Prisoner Swap and Talks to Resume
A second round of US brokered talks concluded on Thursday in Abu Dhabi with the release of 314 prisoners of war, Reuters reported. The sides also agreed to resume negotiations soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the next trilateral meeting was likely to take place in the United States.
The White House declined to comment, while the Ukrainian president’s office and the Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Territorial Disputes Remain Central Obstacle
According to Reuters, the biggest barrier to a near-term peace deal is disagreement over the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region. Russia is demanding control over the entire area, even though Ukraine still controls more than 2,000 square miles of the territory.
Kyiv has described that demand as unacceptable, though officials have expressed openness to alternative ideas such as a demilitarized zone or free-trade arrangements.
“There’s still no progress on the territorial question,” one source told Reuters.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Adds Tension
Another sticking point is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, located in Russian-occupied territory.
Reuters reported that Russia has rejected a US proposal for Washington to control the plant and distribute electricity to both sides. Moscow insists on controlling the facility itself while offering Ukraine discounted power — a proposal Kyiv has rejected.
Elections and Public Opinion
One Ukrainian official told Reuters that Zelenskiy is open to holding elections in the near future, a demand that has resurfaced repeatedly since Trump took office in January 2025.
Despite declining support since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskiy’s approval rating remains above 50%, and he is confident of winning, the source said.
Reuters noted that while most Ukrainians oppose territorial concessions in exchange for Western security guarantees, public resistance has softened slightly over the past year.
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