Peace plan referendum will involve society-wide talks - Ukraine's President
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this while answering journalists’ questions, noting that there are compromise elements in the peace plan and related documents, and that there will be dialogue with society on how to resolve these issues.
“First of all, let’s focus on Plan A — ending the war. Right now, we are making progress with the United States, but that is only one side: us and the Americans. There is also another, more difficult side — the Americans and the Russians,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, Ukraine’s task at this stage is to put all possibilities on paper so the country has security guarantees, recovery agreements, and a 20-point peace plan.
“There are compromise elements in it. If there are issues that raise many questions or cause dissatisfaction in society, we will discuss them openly with the public and think about how to resolve them. There will be dialogue with society. I believe it already exists, and I am open to it,” the president said.
Zelenskyy added that the dialogue with Ukrainian society will later also involve the American side.
“As for security guarantees, this involves the ‘coalition of the willing’ and the Americans. I spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte — he is ready to discuss even some specific details regarding guarantees from the coalition of the willing. I believe all of this will help. It is very important that we remain open with our society. Ultimately, there is a referendum, and there are elections. There are many tools through which society can express its legitimate will,” Zelenskyy noted.
Referendum on the peace plan
Earlier, President Zelenskyy stressed that if it comes to a referendum, Ukrainians should vote not only on territorial issues but on the entire US peace plan.
He noted that the idea of a referendum was proposed by the United States, while security remains the key issue. According to the president, Ukraine’s partners have sufficient capabilities either to compel Russia or reach an agreement with it to ensure security during a presidential election or a referendum.
At the same time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to hold a referendum on the US peace plan — but only if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.
It is worth noting that the United States wants Ukraine to hand over full control of the Donetsk region to Russia. Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not give away its territories to anyone.
