President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has proposed ending Russia's war against Ukraine before the start of summer, citing upcoming congressional elections as a shifting American priority.
"The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war before the start of this summer, and they will likely pressure the parties according to precisely such a timeline," Zelenskyy told journalists at a meeting.
The Ukrainian president explained that domestic issues in the US will become increasingly relevant for American negotiators as the midterm elections approach.
"As for the Americans, they will probably just have a different priority – Congress. And we understand that they will devote all their time to internal processes – elections, changes in the mood of their society. Elections are definitely more important to them," Zelenskyy said.
He added that it is important for Ukraine that the US does not withdraw from negotiations, and that Russia also currently needs the Americans to remain involved.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has long proposed that the American side develop a clear sequence plan "so that everyone understands what the parties are going for, at what moment, at what stages. So that the war does not drag on, because we really want to end the war and guarantee security."
Asked whether security guarantees with the US could be signed if the war ends by June, the president said: "The American side said that one of the possibilities is for all agreements to be signed at approximately the same time. I'm not saying this is directly at one moment, but they are talking about one time."
Reuters reported on 6 February that American and Ukrainian negotiators discussed the possibility of signing a peace agreement in March and holding elections in Ukraine in May.
The agency also reported that two key issues remain unresolved in the negotiations – regarding Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
