Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may announce presidential elections and a peace referendum this spring have triggered intense debate in Kyiv.

According to the Financial Times, the idea emerged amid pressure from the administration of Donald Trumpa couple months ago, with U.S. officials allegedly urging elections by mid-May to preserve American security guarantees.

Zelensky himself has acknowledged a U.S. push to finalize documents to end the war by June, citing Washington’s desire to pivot toward its own midterm elections.

The move allegedly came after pressure from United States President Donald Trump's administration to hold elections by May 15, or else risk losing US security guarantees. According to the outlet, Zelensky will announce the elections on February 24, the fourth anniversary of the Russian attack.

The plan aligns with a US push, outlined by Volodymyr Zelensky to reporters last Friday, to have all documents signed to bring Europe’s largest conflict since the Second World War to an end by June.

“They say that they want to do everything by June ... so that the war ends,” Ukraine’s president said, citing the White House’s desire to shift its focus to the US........

© AzerNews