Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that any peace agreement with Russia would require a prior ceasefire and security guarantees before a national referendum or elections could be held. Recent U.S.-brokered talks in February explored a possible March framework and May voting alongside presidential elections, yet no agreement materialized amid unresolved territorial disputes over Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. A brief U.S.-facilitated ceasefire in early May collapsed amid mutual violation claims and renewed fighting, further stalling bilateral negotiations. Russia continues to demand major concessions, while Ukrainian officials and civil society groups emphasize that significant territorial changes would need public approval through a referendum only after core security conditions are met.