The peace deal promoted by US President Donald Trump to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could spell the end of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency and trigger political chaos in the country, Politico reports, citing diplomatic sources. According to the publication, the territorial cession that is likely to be part of the deal would require amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution and a national referendum, which could destabilize the political situation in the country.

According to Politico, the Trump administration is seeking to reach an agreement within the first 100 days of its second term, which began in January 2025. The US proposal, as previously reported by CNN, includes recognition of Russia's control of Crimea, which Zelensky has called legally impossible. A European diplomatic source noted that "it is difficult to imagine Crimea in any agreement other than in its current status," but that it is politically unacceptable to Zelensky. Trump has publicly criticized the Ukrainian leader for refusing to acknowledge the loss of Crimea, saying it "complicates negotiations" and that "Crimea was lost many years ago."

The political consequences for Zelensky could be catastrophic. Amending Ukraine’s constitution to ban territorial cessions would require a two-thirds vote in the Verkhovna Rada and approval in a referendum, which Politico predicts will spark protests and divisions in society. Rada deputy Oleksandr Dubinsky, who is under arrest, said Trump is “destroying Zelensky’s image” by depriving him of support both at home and abroad.

Tensions between Trump and Zelensky escalated after White House talks on February 28, 2025, ended in a row. As Reuters reported, Zelensky walked out of the meeting, with Trump accusing him of not wanting peace, saying Kyiv needed to sign the deal or “Washington will wash its hands of it.”