Global geopolitics

Zelensky says referendum or elections may determine position on disputed regions

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the country may hold a referendum on whether to make territorial concessions as part of a future peace deal with Russia. Ukraine has previously refused to recognize any of the regions that have joined Russia.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Zelensky said the dispute over Donbass, which is seen as the main obstacle to a peace agreement, should be decided by the public.

He said, “The Russians want all of Donbass, we don’t agree to that. I believe the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Whether through elections or a referendum, the people must decide.”

His comments came after US President Donald Trump, who has pressed for faster progress toward a peace deal, urged Zelensky to hold elections. Zelensky, whose term ended last year, said he would only do so if Western countries provide strong security guarantees.

Zelensky said discussions with US officials have included ideas such as declaring part of Donbass a “free economic zone.” He said Russia prefers calling it a “demilitarized zone.”

“The Americans are looking for the right format,” Zelensky said.

Trump has said the negotiations are moving too slowly and suggested that Zelensky is blocking progress. He said he thought the two sides were close to an agreement and claimed that Ukrainian officials aside from Zelensky supported the plan, while noting that dividing territory makes the process complicated.

A reported US peace plan that leaked last month proposed that Ukraine give up the parts of Donbass it still holds, freeze the front lines in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, stay out of NATO, and reduce the size of its military in exchange for security guarantees.

Russia says lasting peace is only possible if Ukraine fully withdraws from the territories now under Russian control and agrees to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.

Authored By: Global Geopolitics

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