US plan for peaceful resolution of war based on results of Ukrainian citizens’ vote: Reuters
The United States and Ukraine are discussing a framework plan for a possible end to the war, which involves putting the future peace agreement to a nationwide vote. Reuters reports this, citing informed sources.
According to the agency’s interlocutors, the American side is offering a fairly short deadline for reaching agreements and is considering holding a vote in the coming months. At the same time, in Ukraine, such deadlines are considered unrealistic.
Officials and experts on the electoral process note that organizing any expression of will under martial law requires changes to the legislation and lengthy preparation, which can take about six months.
Kyiv insists that holding the vote is possible only if there is a complete ceasefire for the duration of the campaign, as well as receiving clear security guarantees from the US and partners. Without fulfilling these requirements, the Ukrainian side is not ready to move on to the political stage of the settlement.
The key obstacle to agreements remains the territorial issue. Russia insists on establishing control over the entire territory of Donbas, while Ukraine calls such demands unacceptable, although it allows for the search for alternative settlement formats. Separately, the parties have not reached an agreement on the future status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The sources also note that even if preliminary agreements are reached, the final decision will depend on the position of Ukrainian voters, who, according to polls, mostly do not support territorial concessions in exchange for an end to the war.
