Volodymyr Zelensky will be forced to hold elections which could oust him from office as the price of peace, under a provisional agreement reached by the US and Russia.

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, and Marco Rubio, America’s secretary of state, met in Saudi Arabia for the first time on Tuesday to discuss terms to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

After more than four hours of talks, it emerged that both sides had agreed elections should be held in Ukraine before a final peace settlement is reached.

The proposal raises concerns that Russia will use the ballot to oust Ukraine’s wartime leader from office and install a pro-Putin candidate who would agree to peace terms favourable to Moscow.

During the talks the US delegation also agreed not to send any troops to the war-torn territory for peacekeeping while Mr Lavrov said no foreign troops will be allowed in Ukraine after fighting ends.

The statements will raise questions about Europe’s ability to put boots on the ground after a ceasefire.