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Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that the US has pressured Ukraine to hold elections by May 15, just two months after the ceasefire was announced, to ensure adequate security for voters.
Speaking at the Munich security conference on Saturday, the Ukrainian president said: “Give us a two-month ceasefire. We’ll go to the elections… that’s all. Give us a ceasefire. Give us security infrastructure.”
He said he would be willing to compromise on turning some areas into “free economic zones” in exchange for assistance in rebuilding the country when the war ended.
His comments underlined the differences between Kiev and Washington over the sequencing of steps toward a peace deal as the White House has pressured negotiators to conclude talks by the spring.
The FT reported this week that Ukraine has begun planning to hold presidential elections alongside a referendum on any peace deal with Russia. The Trump administration is pressuring Kiev to hold both votes by mid-May or risk losing US security guarantees.
Zelensky said on Saturday that US and European security assurances for Kiev must be agreed before any peace deal can be reached to end the nearly four-year war.
But the White House has signaled to Kiev that US security guarantees depend on agreeing to a comprehensive peace deal. This would also likely include handing over the entire Donbass region to Russia, including areas not currently occupied by Moscow’s troops.
Addressing the US proposal to create a free economic zone on Ukrainian territory, Zelensky said: “There are 200,000 people there… We can’t just run away. But we are ready to speak about this free economic zone.” He said this could be “crucial” in achieving “agreement” on the reconstruction of Ukraine.
“We are ready to give Russia a ceasefire if they hold free elections,” he said to thunderous applause from the audience in the conference hall.
Zelensky formulated his position in line with ongoing discussions with Western partners.
He said, “We have strong agreements to sign with the United States and Europe. We believe that agreement on security guarantees must precede any agreement to end the war.”
