The United States and Ukraine are discussing an ambitious goal of reaching a peace agreement with Russia by March, though this timeline is likely to slip due to a lack of consensus on key territorial issues.
Reuters reported the developments, citing three sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to insiders, the framework under discussion would see any deal put to a referendum of Ukrainian voters, who would simultaneously cast ballots in national elections. The US negotiating team, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, expressed a desire during recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami for this vote to take place as soon as possible.
"The Americans are in a hurry," one source noted, adding that while a vote could be organized in under six months, it would still require significant time.
US negotiators attribute the urgency to the likelihood that Trump will shift focus to domestic affairs as the November midterm congressional elections approach. This implies top US officials will have less time and political capital to broker a peace deal. Sources indicate the parties discussed holding the elections and referendum as early as May.
However, organizing such elections would require legislative changes—as voting is currently banned under martial law—as well as significant financial costs. Ukraine is insisting on a ceasefire throughout the entire election campaign.
"Kyiv's position is that nothing can be agreed upon until security guarantees are provided to Ukraine by the United States and its partners," the interlocutor emphasized.
The biggest obstacle to a quick peace remains uncertainty regarding the fate of the Donbas. Russia demands control over the entire region, while Kyiv still holds more than 2,000 square miles of the territory. Ukraine considers such demands unacceptable, though officials have expressed willingness to consider "creative solutions," such as a demilitarized zone or a free trade zone. "There is still no progress on the territorial issue," the source stated.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has become another stumbling block. Russia rejected a US proposal under which Washington would control the plant and distribute energy between the two countries. Moscow insists on retaining control, offering cheap electricity to Ukraine—a proposition Kyiv deems unacceptable.