USA, Ukraine discuss terms of possible peace deal with Russia – media
Participants in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine discussed the possible achievement of a peace agreement with Russia as early as March 2026, Reuters has reported.
The agency stated that such an ambitious goal was reported by three sources familiar with the situation. At the same time, they believe that the terms will likely be shifted due to the lack of agreement on a key issue, namely on the territories.
Five more sources say that according to the discussed scheme, any agreement will be put to a referendum, which will be held simultaneously with the national elections.
"The U.S. negotiating team – led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner – has expressed to Ukrainian counterparts in recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami that it would be best if that vote occurred soon, three of those sources said," the publication said.
According to the agency's sources, U.S. negotiators said U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to focus on domestic affairs in connection with the approaching midterm elections in Congress in November. This means that senior U.S. officials will have less time and political capital to conclude a peace agreement.
According to two of the interlocutors, the U.S. and Ukrainian officials have discussed the possibility of holding elections and a referendum as early as May. However, several other sources familiar with the negotiations called the timetable proposed by the Americans unrealistic.
"The Americans are in a hurry," said one source familiar with the matter, adding that a vote could be organized in less than six months, but it would still take a substantial amount of time.
Ukraine wants a ceasefire throughout the election campaign to protect the integrity of the referendum and says the Kremlin has a history of breaking its promises of an agreed ceasefire.
"Kyiv's position is that nothing can be agreed until the security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States and partners are in place," the source said.