Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may announce a plan to hold a presidential election and a referendum on February 24, the Financial Times reported, citing Ukrainian and European sources.
According to the newspaper, preparations for a vote have already begun in Ukraine. The FT notes that the United States is pressuring Kyiv to hold elections and a referendum by May 15, otherwise Ukraine could be left without U.S. security guarantees.
Sources close to Zelenskyy said that he and his team have made it clear to the administration of Donald Trump that they are prepared for extremely tight timelines, despite the logistical difficulties of organizing elections under wartime conditions and within a compressed timeframe.
The newspaper also notes that Ukrainian and Western officials believe the proposed schedule is unlikely to be met, as it also depends on reaching agreements on a peace deal with Russia. At the same time, the plan to hold elections is seen as a signal of Zelenskyy’s intention to reassure the United States that Kyiv is not delaying the pursuit of a peace settlement, should one be reached.
