Elections or referendum: Zelenskyy outlines how territorial questions should be decided

The President explained that the American side has proposed creating a so-called free economic zone, or, as the Russian side calls it, a demilitarized zone, in part of the Donetsk region. Under this plan, Ukrainian forces would withdraw from part of the territory, while Russian troops would not enter it.

Zelenskyy noted that many questions remain, including who would control the zone, the monitoring mechanism, whether Russian forces would be pulled back to a mirrored distance, and how to prevent possible infiltration by Russian forces disguised as civilians.

The head of state emphasized that the proposed model is not in Ukraine's interests, as it is fair to stand on the contact line, but dialogue continues, and Kyiv is seeking fair solutions based on parity and security guarantees.

The President stressed that the final decision on the territories must be just and based on the position of the people.

"I believe that the people of Ukraine will answer this question. Either through elections or a referendum, but there must be a position of the Ukrainian people," Zelenskyy said.

He added that, at present, much depends on the Ukrainian military.

"What the Ukrainian troops can hold, how they can stand, where they can destroy the occupier. This affects the entire diplomatic framework," Zelenskyy concluded.

Reference

A referendum is a vote in which citizens directly make decisions on key state issues, including territorial matters. Conducting a referendum requires safe conditions and the ability for all voters to participate, so it is practically impossible during wartime without external guarantees.

US peace plan and elections in Ukraine

The topic of elections in Ukraine resurfaced during discussions of the American peace plan. US President Donald Trump insists that Kyiv hold presidential elections even during wartime, claiming that most Ukrainians allegedly want a quick agreement with Russia.

Zelenskyy responds that he is ready for elections, but they can only take place after legislative changes and with security guarantees.

Meanwhile, work on a peace plan for Ukraine is ongoing. Discussions continue at the Ukraine-US and US-Russia levels, and Kyiv is also negotiating with Europe.

However, the territorial issue remains the most difficult in the negotiations. Moscow demands a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas, while Kyiv rejects ceding any territory.

According to the Financial Times, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is promoting the idea of handing over the remaining, still-unoccupied areas of Donetsk to Russia in exchange for peace.

Ukraine and its European partners warn that such concessions would only create conditions for a new offensive, as Russian control over all of Donbas would open the way to capturing key eastern cities.