Zelenskyy floats free economic zone as possible compromise on territory
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (facebook zelenskyy.official)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Fox News that Ukraine cannot simply abandon the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
According to Zelenskyy, it is impossible to simply withdraw from these territories.
“It's not about referendum or parliament or the president... It's out of our law,” he said.
The president noted that it is not just a matter of law—about 300,000 people live in these territories.
“We can't go out because hundreds thousands being wounded, dozens thousands being killed there... And also our army there,” Zelenskyy said.
The head of state stressed that any decisions on a potential compromise settlement can only be made with the direct consent of Ukrainian citizens. This is a specific plan consisting of 20 points, not general or declarative agreements.
He noted that among the possible compromise options, the idea of creating a free economic zone with a mirror withdrawal of troops several kilometers on both sides is being considered.
“If we will decide the decision will be about economic zone, something like this, referendum is the way how to accept it or not accept,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Referendum on peace
After talks with US President Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine considers it necessary to confirm the key 20-point plan to end the war in a nationwide referendum.
According to the president, Ukraine and the US share the same position — the war must be ended through diplomacy, forcing Russia to agree to peace.
The president noted that Russia is opposed to the idea of a referendum, as it requires real security and a ceasefire. According to the Ukrainian side, at least 60 days of complete silence are necessary to organize a referendum.
Read about the current political pros and cons of the referendum in the article on RBC-Ukraine.
