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US-Russia peace deal demands Ukraine hold new election: report

U.S. and Russian officials have reportedly reached a tentative agreement on a framework that could bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

However, this potential resolution comes with significant political consequences for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose leadership and future may be at stake.

According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, discussions have resulted in the formation of high-level teams led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. These teams will be responsible for drafting a formal peace agreement.

The U.S. delegation includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff. Their primary goal is to navigate complex negotiations that will determine the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and governance structure.

Sergey Lagodinsky, a German lawyer and a Member of the European Parliament, shared insights on X regarding the proposal’s structure. According to his sources, the peace plan consists of three key stages:

Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich echoed these claims, stating that multiple foreign diplomatic sources confirmed the three-stage proposal.

According to these sources, both the U.S. and Russia view new elections in Ukraine as a critical component of the peace process. This aspect of the plan has sparked significant controversy, as Ukraine has long resisted the idea of elections under potential Russian influence.

While some sources maintain that elections are merely being “floated” as an idea for future discussions, others argue that the requirement is being seriously considered.

Ukrainian officials, for their part, insist that Zelensky remains a viable candidate for reelection despite declining popularity and the ongoing war.

Foreign diplomatic sources provided additional details about Russia’s perspective on the proposed elections. According to these sources, Putin believes that the probability of electing a pro-Russian candidate is high, and that any alternative to Zelensky would be more willing to negotiate and make concessions.

Similarly, former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly open to accepting any election result, including the possibility of a pro-Russian government taking power in Ukraine.

Following the meeting, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce released a formal statement outlining the key points discussed:

  1. The establishment of a consultation mechanism to address diplomatic tensions and normalize diplomatic operations between the U.S. and Russia.
  2. The appointment of high-level teams tasked with negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
  3. Laying the groundwork for future cooperation on geopolitical and economic matters that may arise following a peace settlement.

Bruce emphasized that achieving peace would require ongoing engagement, stating, “One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today we took an important step forward.”

The talks were held in Saudi Arabia, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud playing a hosting role. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later addressed the media, outlining three key objectives of the negotiations:

  1. Reestablishing diplomatic facilities in both countries
  2. Appointing high-level teams to work on ending the conflict
  3. Facilitating discussions on long-term geopolitical and economic cooperation

This proposed peace agreement comes in the wake of Zelensky’s controversial decision to cancel elections in Ukraine. In May 2022, he signed Law No. 7172-1, which banned opposition parties and authorized the seizure of their assets. The law was widely criticized for suppressing political dissent, with opposition figures claiming it was a move to consolidate power amid the war.

Zelensky also took steps to control media narratives by shutting down all independent TV stations and consolidating them into a single, state-run channel. In December 2022, he further escalated his power by banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, citing national security concerns.

Amid these developments, Zelensky abruptly canceled a planned trip to Saudi Arabia. He was initially scheduled to visit after stops in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey but instead opted to return to Kyiv. While Ukrainian officials have not provided a clear explanation for the decision, it is widely believed to be linked to the ongoing negotiations.

On Sunday, Zelensky gave an interview to ABC News, during which he expressed frustration with the U.S.-Russia negotiations. On Saturday, he had previously voiced concerns that Trump was speaking with Putin before consulting with Ukraine.

Zelensky stated, “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. Our people—never. Our adults and children, everybody—it can’t be so. This is a war in Ukraine against us, and it’s our human losses.”

While the U.S. and Russia push forward with their peace plan, European leaders have expressed growing alarm. Fearing that Trump might successfully broker a deal without their involvement, high-ranking officials from across the European Union and NATO gathered for an emergency summit in Paris.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated that Ukraine deserves peace but insisted that any agreement must respect its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General-designate Mark Rutte echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Europe is prepared to step up and provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also addressed the situation, stressing that Ukraine’s security is crucial for Europe’s stability. “Ukraine must have a secure future, Europe must have a secure future, Britain must have a secure future, and democratic values must prevail,” Starmer stated during the emergency summit.