US President Donald Trump is urging Kiev to agree to new elections and a peace treaty with Russia by spring. But without a guarantee of quick access to the EU, Zelensky will not sign anything.
02/13/2026, 09:2302/13/2026, 09:23
Remo Hess, Brussels / ch media
Elections in May, peace in June, EU accession by 2027: are these the milestones on the way to the end of the war? It would be a highly ambitious schedule. But statements and reports in recent days indicate that an attempt will actually take place in the spring to seal the end of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. But everything in order.
Under US pressure: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.Image: keystone
“Zelenskyj plans elections in Ukraine and vote on peace deal” was the headline in the Financial Times on Wednesday. The newspaper, which is known for its good contacts in Ukrainian government circles, wrote that preparations for the vote were already underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will announce elections on February 24, the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion. The reason is the massive pressure exerted by the US government under Donald Trump.
The security guarantees promised by Trump would be on the table until mid-May. That’s how long Zelensky has to let the population vote on a deal – parallel to the presidential elections. The peace treaty would then be signed by June, which would mean an end to the fighting, according to the “FT”.
Russia bombs – but negotiations continue
But how seriously should this schedule be taken? The fact that Russia continues to attack Ukraine with undiminished severity speaks against an early agreement. On Thursday night, Russia bombed cities like Kiev and Odessa with 24 ballistic missiles and more than 200 kamikaze drones. Again, the primary target was Ukrainian energy supplies. This was despite the fact that US President Donald Trump had personally asked Russian leader Vladimir Putin to refrain from attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure during the peace negotiations.
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv is regularly attacked by Russia.Image: keystone
But it is also a fact that the negotiations are continuing. After meeting last week in Abu Dhabi, the Ukrainians and Russians will meet again in Miami under the mediation of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. Zelensky himself also recently confirmed that the US side expected a “clear timetable” and wanted to have everything through by June – in order to then concentrate on the midterm elections.
After the publication of the aforementioned press report, Zelensky went on the offensive and denied election preparations. The only decisive factor is the security situation, and this does not allow elections. First there needs to be a ceasefire. And he also said that it would be “completely stupid” to talk about politics on such a special date. February 24th is the day to remember the many victims of the war.
Zelenskyj needs EU accession for compromises at home
Still, it is possible that Ukraine will soon reveal the details of the peace plan and the date of a referendum. One indication of this is that on Thursday Zelenskyj also called on the EU with unprecedented clarity to confirm the long-discussed date of Ukraine’s EU membership by 2027. “My signature on the 20-point peace plan guarantees the Ukrainians a very specific date for our accession,” said Zelensky. Or to put it another way: Without a guarantee of EU accession by 2027, he will not sign anything.
In Brussels this is interpreted to mean that Zelensky needs the date in order to be able to sell to the Ukrainian people the painful concessions that a peace agreement is likely to contain. Specifically, it concerns territories in the still contested Donbass region.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.Image: keystone
The fact that Ukraine can really achieve a turbo accession to the EU by 2027 is no longer completely ruled out in the EU either. Accession normally takes years, if not decades, and Ukraine, with around 40 million inhabitants, would be a huge challenge to overcome. Not just politically, with the problems of the rule of law, let alone the unresolved territorial issues. But also because of their economic situation.
But geopolitical necessity has the EU now working on a plan to upend its usual accession process. This means that Ukraine will be included – and all further questions will be answered afterwards.
During this transition phase, Kiev would be a “passive EU member” without voting rights. Membership rights would then be gradually expanded as Ukraine implements the necessary reforms.
Such a “reverse accession” would undoubtedly be highly unconventional. But not entirely unprecedented: With German reunification, the former GDR became an EU member overnight on October 3, 1990. As part of Germany, of course. But without any prior reforms or accession process. (aargauerzeitung.ch)