Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv has actively supported US peace proposals aimed at ending.
The war with Russia, as President Donald Trump seeks a resolution ahead of the November mid-term elections. In an interview published by The Atlantic, Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine is prepared to hold both a presidential election and a public referendum on any deal, but stressed that it will not accept terms that compromise the country’s interests.
“The tactic we chose is for the Americans not to think that we want to continue the war,” Zelensky told the magazine. “That’s why we started supporting their proposals in any format that speeds things along.”
He added, “We are not afraid of anything. Are we ready for elections? We’re ready. Are we ready for a referendum? We’re ready.”
Zelensky’s support for US-led peace initiatives follows a period of tense relations in Washington, including a heated Oval Office meeting in February 2025 with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
However, Zelensky rejected a recent proposal, reported by the Financial Times, to announce votes on February 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Key elements, including a ceasefire and US security guarantees, remain unresolved.
“No one is clinging to power,” he said. “I am ready for elections. But for that we need security, guarantees of security, a ceasefire. I don’t think we should put a bad deal up for a referendum.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as a negotiating partner, citing that he has not faced an election since assuming office in 2019.
Zelensky noted that a document on security guarantees is nearly ready for signing, but critical details, such as whether the US would intercept incoming missiles in case of a Russian violation, are still being negotiated. “This hasn’t been fixed yet,” he said. “We have raised it, and we will continue to raise these questions. We need all of this to be written out.”
Comments are closed.