FT: Ukraine plans to announce elections on February 24 after the US told Kyiv to hold them by May 15 — or risk losing proposed US security guarantees.
At the same time, the Zelenskyy Office says elections are impossible without proper security conditions. 1/
According to the FT, Kyiv is considering holding presidential elections alongside a national referendum on any peace deal with Russia.
Ukrainian and Western officials familiar with the discussions confirm active planning. 2/
The May 15 deadline comes amid White House pressure to finalize a peace framework by June.
Zelenskyy said on February 9 that Washington wants a “clear schedule” and aims to close the war before US midterm campaigning intensifies in November. 3/
February 24 marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Officials say Zelenskyy may use that date to formally present the election-and-referendum plan. 4/
The legal barrier is martial law. Ukrainian law prohibits national elections during wartime. Around 20% of Ukraine’s territory remains under Russian occupation.
Hundreds of thousands of troops are deployed at the front. Millions of citizens are displaced. 5/
Under the working timeline, parliament would amend legislation in March–April to enable wartime voting. Without a ceasefire, polling stations would remain exposed to drone and missile attacks. 6/
Olha Aivazovska, head of OPORA: “Six months of preparation is not the maximum — it is the minimum.”
She warns that rushing the vote risks damaging legitimacy and future democratic integrity. 7/
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko: “Political competition during war is bad. We can destroy the country from inside. That is Russia’s goal.” 8/
Western officials say at least half of the pre-war registered electorate must participate for the result to be internationally recognized. Lower turnout would give Moscow grounds to question legitimacy. 9/
US officials signal that security guarantees are linked to a broader peace deal, potentially involving territorial concessions in Donbas.
Zelenskyy has publicly rejected ceding territory, stating Ukraine will “stand where we stand.” 10X
Source: ft.com/content/50d3d8…
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