Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may announce his decision to hold presidential elections and a referendum on a peace agreement as early as February 24.
According to "Hvylya," the Financial Times reports.
The Donald Trump administration has issued a stark ultimatum: either the vote takes place in spring, or Ukraine risks losing the security guarantees offered by the United States.
According to the publication, Zelensky allegedly intends to announce a dual vote on February 24—the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Sources claim that Bankova has signaled to Washington that the president's team is prepared for an extremely compressed timeline, despite the logistical nightmare of war.
According to the preliminary schedule, in March and April the Verkhovna Rada must urgently amend legislation to enable elections under martial law conditions.
The rush is dictated by pressure from Trump, who wants to finalize a peace agreement by mid-May. The terms of the deal, according to journalists, may include ceding Donbas to Russia.
Western officials also doubt the feasibility of the deadline. The timeline depends on progress in negotiations with Vladimir Putin, which is not yet guaranteed. Nevertheless, Zelensky's willingness to discuss dates "underscores his determination to maximize his chances of re-election while assuring US President Donald Trump that Kyiv is not delaying achievement of a peace deal."
However, the Presidential Office has refuted the information from Western media.
Ukrinform, citing sources close to the president, reports that there will be no elections or announcements about elections "as long as there is no security."
"If Russians are killing people every day, how can one announce or seriously consider elections in the coming weeks? Nobody is against elections, but there must be security," the source stated.
As an argument, the official cited the tragic example from the past day, when a Russian strike in Kharkiv region claimed the lives of three children and their father. Under conditions where the enemy continues terrorizing the civilian population, talk of opening polling stations is impossible.
The authorities' position remains unchanged: voting will take place only when the state can guarantee the protection of voters, not according to specific dates on the calendar.
Earlier, Zelensky answered whether he would seek a second term.