Kyiv – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated today that any final settlement involving territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine would require direct approval from the Ukrainian people via a referendum or free elections. His comments come amidst ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Donets Basin.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kyiv, Zelenskyy emphasized, “I believe that only the people of Ukraine will have the final say and answer this question, whether through elections or a referendum. The position must come solely from the Ukrainian people.” He noted that Kyiv had submitted an updated version of its 20-point peace plan to Washington on Wednesday, including binding security guarantees and a comprehensive reconstruction agreement.
The President acknowledged that the fate of the entire Donets Basin and the final control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remain the most complex unresolved issues. Zelenskyy revealed details of a U.S. proposal currently under discussion behind the scenes. According to the President, Washington is suggesting the creation of a free economic zone, entirely demilitarized, throughout the Donets region.
He elaborated that the United States is requesting Ukraine alone to withdraw its forces from parts of the Donets region where it intends to establish the free economic zone. Zelenskyy characterized this as a major point of contention in talks with the United States, which have intensified since Washington presented its plan for resolving the conflict, a plan deemed compatible with several Russian demands.
The proposed plan envisions Ukrainian forces withdrawing from areas still under their control. In return, Russia would commit to not advancing militarily into these territories, without being required to withdraw from the areas it currently occupies. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would remain under effective Russian control, while Moscow would withdraw from recently captured territories in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy.
In Berlin, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the anticipated joint Western plan as a “real test for Putin.” He stated, “Let’s put Putin to the test. Let’s see if he is serious about de-escalation.”
