US does not link elections in Ukraine to security guarantees – Zelenskyy

Ukraine's President Volodymyr has dismissed suggestions that the United States is threatening to withdraw its security guarantees unless Ukraine announces a date for a presidential election.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online press briefing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy was commenting on a report by the Financial Times that claims he plans to make an announcement on 24 February 2026 naming the date for a presidential election and a referendum on territorial integrity.

Quote: "I've talked about elections many times... We'll proceed with elections when all the proper security guarantees are in place. The issue of elections is raised by some of Ukraine's partners. Ukraine itself has never raised it, but we are certainly ready to hold elections.

It's very easy to do: introduce a ceasefire, and then there will be elections. In other words, this is a security issue."

More details: Zelenskyy said the US had raised the issue of elections, but added that he did not want to go into details. Zelenskyy also denied claims that Washington is threatening to withdraw its security guarantees.

Quote: "No. They are not threatening to withdraw security guarantees. As a matter of fact, they do not connect elections to security guarantees."

Background:

• Earlier, Zelenskyy said he hoped Ukraine and the US would reach an understanding during a new round of talks scheduled for next week.
• Last week, Reuters reported that US and Ukrainian negotiators had also discussed the possibility of signing a peace agreement in March and holding elections in Ukraine in May.
• Reuters reported that two key issues remain unresolved in the negotiations: Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!