The US is to put pressure on Russia and Ukraine regarding an agreement. They set a date. “Unreal”
The discussed deadline for concluding the agreement will most likely be postponed because the parties still do not agree on the key issue regarding the territory, the agency noted. The agreement would be submitted to a referendum in Ukraine, which would be held simultaneously with the elections, five sources said.
What terms of agreement are the United States and Ukraine discussing?
What legislative changes are needed to organize elections in Ukraine?
What are the main obstacles to reaching an agreement?
What does the President of Ukraine think about organizing elections in the near future?
Americans hope for a quick resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. “They're in a hurry”
The Americans were to make it clear to the Ukrainians during recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami that it would be good if the elections were called soon — sources maintain. American negotiators said that President Donald Trump will most likely focus on domestic affairs in connection with the midterm elections scheduled for November. This will mean that top US officials will have less time and political resources to work on reaching an agreement.
According to two sources, the Americans and Ukrainians discussed the possibility of organizing elections and a referendum in May. However, several agency interlocutors noted that the date proposed by the American side is unreal. The body responsible for organizing elections in Ukraine estimates that under current conditions, the preparation of the elections would take about six months. “The Americans are in a hurry,” one of the sources said.
Reuters noted that organizing the elections would require legislative changes, because in Ukraine, according to the law, elections cannot be held during martial law. Ukrainians would like a ceasefire during the vote. — Kiev's position is that nothing can be agreed until there are security guarantees for Ukrainians from the US and partners – the source emphasized.
One of the interlocutors said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is open to calling elections in the near future and is convinced that he would win.
One major problem on the way to agreement
The sources emphasized that the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement remains the issue of Donbas. Russia demands to take over the entire region, while over 5,000 areas remain under the control of Ukrainian troops. square kilometers of territory. Kyiv considers this Kremlin demand impossible to meet, but Ukrainian officials are open to talks about other solutions, e.g. creating a demilitarized zone or a free trade zone.
It also remains a point of contention Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which is located on Ukrainian territory controlled by Russians. One of the sources claims that Russia did not agree to the US proposal, under which Washington would control the facility and manage the energy produced there, making it available to Russia and Ukraine. Moscow wants to maintain control over the power plant and provide Ukraine with cheap energy, but Kiev does not agree to this.
