US and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious goal for Moscow and Kiev to reach a peace agreement by March, although that deadline is unlikely to be met due to disagreements over a key issue - territory, according to three sources familiar with the talks.
Under the framework being discussed by US and Ukrainian negotiators, Ukrainians would vote on any eventual agreement in a referendum, and at the same time they would vote in parliamentary elections, five anonymous sources told Reuters.
The US negotiating team, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, told Ukrainian interlocutors at recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami that it would be best to hold such a vote as soon as possible, three of the sources said.
US negotiators have also indicated that as the midterm elections in November approach, Trump is likely to focus more on domestic issues, meaning top US officials will have less time and political capital to strike a peace deal, according to two sources.
The second round of US-brokered talks concluded in Abu Dhabi on Thursday with the release of 314 prisoners of war and a commitment to resume talks soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the next trilateral meeting would likely take place in the US soon.
US President Donald Trump told reporters today that "very good talks" are taking place regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine and added, without further explanation, that "something could happen" as a result of those negotiations.
The Republican leader promised to end the war that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but more than a year into his second term, that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
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