Zelensky, elections only after ceasefire and security guarantees. For Kiev 90 billion EU loan
The Ukrainian president said the next round of talks with Russia is scheduled for 17 or 18 February in the US, but it is unclear whether Russia will participate. The so-called 'support loan to Ukraine' will help cover the country's financing needs
Ukraine will hold elections only after a "ceasefire" and the obtaining of "security guarantees", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says. "I have spoken about elections many times: we will hold them when all the necessary security guarantees are secured," Zelensky stressed speaking to journalists as reported by Rbc. According to the Ukrainian president, the question of elections is raised 'by one partner or the other'. Ukraine itself has never raised the issue. But there is a will to start such a process. "It is very simple: establish a ceasefire and there will be elections. It is a security issue, said the Ukrainian head of state. The President clarified that the United States does not threaten Ukraine with the withdrawal of security guarantees and does not link this decision to the election issue.
Kiev's denial of presidential elections
The Ukrainian president's latest statements come at the end of a day that started with the news, reported by the Financial Times, of Zelensky's intention to announce plans for presidential elections and a referendum on 24 February. Kiev denied the news, but the chase of rumours highlights the pressure the Ukrainian presidency is under. Presidential elections have been a pressing demand of US President Donald Trump in recent months. And indeed, according to the City newspaper, Kiev has started planning the presidential elections and referendum after the White House pressed for them to be held by 15 May, warning that otherwise Ukraine would lose the security guarantees proposed by the US. Last week Zelensky told the press that Washington wants 'to get everything done by June, so that the war ends', adding: 'And they want a clear agenda'.
U.S. proposal for Donbass, Zelensky: 'Doesn't convince us or Moscow'
"Neither side is interested in the idea of a free economic zone: neither the Russians nor us," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Bloomberg Agency today, commenting on the latest speculation regarding the Donbass territories and announcing a possible new round of negotiations in the US next week.
The new round of talks is scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, Zelensky told Bloomberg News, although it is unclear whether Russia will agree to participate in the US talks. On the agenda is a US proposal to establish a free economic zone as a buffer zone in the eastern Donbass region, an option that the Ukrainian leader says both sides in the war view with scepticism.
83% Ukrainians in favour of EU membership, 71% NATO membership
Meanwhile, the results of a sociological survey by the Razumkov Centre were released, according to which Ukraine's membership in the European Union is supported by 83% of Ukrainians, while 71.3% support membership in the Atlantic Alliance, compared to September 2025, support for EU membership increased from 81.7% to 83%. This is the highest figure recorded over the entire observation period since 2021, while support for NATO membership has increased by 2.8% compared to September 2025, when 68.5% were in favour, reveals the Razumkov Centre's survey, initiated at the request of the Kiev Security Forum, on the eve of the Munich Security Conference, to be held from 13-15 February.
