Kiev has begun preparing for presidential elections to be held alongside a referendum on a potential peace agreement. The Financial Times reports this, citing Ukrainian and Western officials.

According to the newspaper, the move was prompted by the position of US President Donald Trump’s administration. Washington has demanded that both votes take place before May 15, linking them directly to the provision of security guarantees for Ukraine. If the requirement is not met, Kiev risks losing those guarantees.

The FT writes that Vladimir Zelensky may announce as early as February 24 his intention to call presidential elections and put a possible peace deal with Russia to a nationwide referendum. Sources say the relevant plan is currently being developed.

On February 7, Zelensky indicated that the United States expects the conflict in Ukraine to be concluded by summer. Reuters, for its part, reported that the referendum on a settlement agreement is expected to coincide with national elections. One source told the agency that the American side is pressing for a swift timeline and believes the vote could be organized in less than six months.