President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine may hold a nationwide referendum on a future peace agreement simultaneously with an early presidential election, linking the political ratification of an end to the war with a rapid reset of executive authority. 

Speaking to journalists, Zelensky confirmed that such a scenario is possible if the peace agreement between Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe requires approval by popular vote. 

Asked directly whether a referendum and presidential election could be conducted at the same time, he replied, “I think so.”

The comments build on provisions contained in the draft peace framework previously outlined by the Ukrainian president. 

Zelensky noted that Point 18 of the proposed holding elections “as soon as possible” after the signing of a peace agreement. 

He stressed that the timing and format would depend on parliamentary decisions, but indicated that combining the two votes could be a practical solution given legal and security constraints.

Zelensky outlined a compressed timetable for any post-agreement vote. 

He said that a presidential election could take place as soon as 60 or 90 days after the signing of a peace deal, provided minimum security and democratic standards are met. 

This shortened timeframe reflects the reality that martial law cannot be lifted immediately after an agreement is signed and would likely remain in force for several months during implementation.

Under Ukraine’s constitution, the president argued, holding a presidential election is more feasible under such conditions than parliamentary or local elections. 

Parliamentary elections face explicit constitutional limitations, while local elections involve broader participation requirements, including candidacy rights, that are more difficult to restore quickly after wartime restrictions. 

As a result, Zelensky framed a presidential vote as the most realistic first step in reestablishing normal democratic processes.

Zelensky emphasized that the final decision on election timing rests with the Verkhovna Rada. 

He said parliament would need to formally set an election date once the agreement is signed or as its implementation begins. 

The legislature would also be responsible for determining whether security conditions and democratic standards are sufficient to proceed.

He underlined that the referendum itself would require at least a ceasefire to be in place, given the logistical and security demands of a nationwide vote. 

Only after the lifting of martial law, he added, would it be possible to hold parliamentary and local elections, potentially at the same time. 

This sequencing reflects an effort to balance democratic legitimacy with operational feasibility in a postwar environment.

In unusually explicit terms, Zelensky addressed speculation about his own political intentions. 

“I don’t want to cling to power,” he said, reiterating earlier statements that he is prepared to submit his mandate to voters once conditions allow. 

He framed the prospect of an early presidential election not as a concession to political pressure, but as a logical step following a peace agreement that would reset Ukraine’s political system after years of full-scale war.

The president also situated the referendum-and-election question within a broader package of postwar documents under discussion. 

In addition to the core peace framework, he said Ukraine and its partners are working on a multilateral security guarantees agreement involving Ukraine, the United States, and Europe, a bilateral U.S.–Ukraine security framework, and an economic recovery plan dubbed the “Roadmap for Ukraine’s Prosperity.” 

Together, these documents are intended to provide legal, security, and economic continuity once active hostilities end.

Zelensky concluded by saying that Russia’s reaction to the draft peace framework was expected later on December 24 following consultations with the American side. 

He added that Ukraine is ready for leader-level talks to resolve the most sensitive issues, but made clear that domestic legitimacy—secured through a referendum and elections—would be central to implementing any final agreement.