Kyiv explores May 2026 dual-vote strategy to ratify peace deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to unveil a comprehensive roadmap for national elections and a sovereignty referendum on February 24, according to sources cited by the Financial Times.
The strategy, developed alongside U.S. and European negotiators, envisions a dual-track process where any potential peace agreement with Russia is submitted for direct public approval.
Under the proposed framework, Ukrainian voters would participate in a nationwide referendum held concurrently with presidential elections, potentially as early as May.
Public skepticism and legislative hurdles
Despite the high-level planning, domestic support for immediate voting remains low. Recent data from the UNIAN agency indicates that only 10% of Ukrainians favor holding elections before a definitive ceasefire is achieved.
The mood shifts slightly in the event of guaranteed security: approximately 23% of respondents would support an electoral process if a truce and international protection were secured.
Preconditions for the vote
David Arakhamia, a lead negotiator and head of the "Servant of the People" faction in the Verkhovna Rada, emphasized that the plan is contingent on external consensus.
The simultaneous execution of the election and the referendum can only proceed if the proposed peace framework is pre-approved by all international stakeholders.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
