On February 18, Fox News reporter Jackie Heinrich, citing sources, reported that Russia and the United States are proposing a three-step peace plan that includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and then the signing of a final agreement. According to her, the Russian Federation views holding elections in Ukraine as one of the key conditions for a successful resolution process. Heinrich noted that U.S. President Donald Trump and the illegitimate President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, believe the chances of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being re-elected are low.
"I haven't seen this information […] I actually found a reference today while scanning the news to a statement by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who mentioned in some corridors in Munich that he met with U.S. representative [on Ukraine] Keith Kellogg. And Kellogg informed him about some sort of settlement plan; it wasn't specified whether it was three points or four. But Sikorski, commenting on this plan, said he couldn't disclose the details; the plan is atypical but could be quite interesting," Lavrov responded. "I asked [U.S. Secretary of State Marco] Rubio and [U.S. National Security Advisor Mike] Waltz today what this means. They said it's fake."