Three sources with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed that such a time frame is being considered; however, it may change due to difficulties in reconciling key issues, such as territorial disputes. Other sources added that the final agreement is expected to be put to a referendum, which is planned to be held simultaneously with national elections.
Meetings of the American delegation, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and former U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, with Ukrainian representatives took place in Abu Dhabi and Miami. These meetings addressed the issue of conducting a vote on a tight schedule.
According to information, the U.S. is monitoring Donald Trump's shifting priorities in light of the upcoming midterm congressional elections in November. This could lead to a reduction in the time and political resources available to the administration for advancing the peace process.
Some sources also discussed the possibility of holding elections and a referendum as early as May; however, several participants consider this timeline unrealistic. One source noted, "The Americans are in a hurry," adding that even with expedited preparations, organizing the vote will take significant time.
From the Ukrainian side, there is a insistence on establishing a ceasefire during the voting to ensure its safety. One source emphasized that without security guarantees for Ukraine from the U.S. and partners, no agreements are possible.
The second round of negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. took place in Abu Dhabi on February 4-5, while the previous trilateral meeting was held there on January 23-24. All discussions were conducted in a closed format.
