This weekend, Davyd Arakhamia and Ruslan Stefanchuk discussed the possibility of simultaneous elections and a referendum in Ukraine. The draft election law is expected by the end of February, after which it will be submitted to parliament for consideration.
However, there are significant challenges: security concerns, temporarily occupied territories, military personnel at the front, and a considerable number of Ukrainians abroad, including those in the Russian Federation.
Government officials' statements about readiness for elections and a referendum are largely directed at the international community, especially the US and Donald Trump, who currently leads the peace talks initiative.
The American initiative remains a driving force for ongoing negotiations to end the war. Leaders from Europe, the US, Ukraine, and Russia participate in talks, but a resolution requires compromises from all sides.
There is a discussion about possible compromises Ukraine could make and the willingness of Western partners to provide financial and political support. Russia remains in a stalemate, with the negotiation process slowed by differing views on the future of occupied territories and achieving parity between the parties.
The idea of holding a referendum alongside elections is seen as a way to share political responsibility and lend legitimacy to key decisions: society would approve or disapprove of concluding a peace agreement.
According to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, only 10% of Ukrainians support holding elections before signing a peace agreement, posing further challenges for political leaders. Negotiations continue, with outcomes depending on compromise, political decisions, and the role of international partners.
