Zelenskyy proposes territorial compromise, calls on Russia to "mirror" Ukraine’s steps

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled that a peace agreement with Moscow could be within reach, but stressed that any progress depends on Russia taking reciprocal measures.

“"I think the compromise, if we do a free economic zone that we have, and we have to move some kilometers back. It means that Russia has to make mirror steps some kilometers back,” Zelenskyy told Fox News in an interview, highlighting the condition for a potential deal, per Caliber.Az.

He said this free economic zone will have specific rules. "Something like this referendum is the way how to accept it or not accept it."

Zelenskyy said the breakthrough could be close following his December 28 meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, though unresolved territorial issues remain a major obstacle. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently insisted that the West must recognise Russia’s battlefield advantage, while Zelenskyy has remained firm about not ceding territory without a Ukrainian referendum.

The Ukrainian president suggested that withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia could only happen if approved by voters. He proposed creating a free economic zone with specific rules in contested areas, emphasising that any Ukrainian concessions must be mirrored by Russia.

Despite the talks, Zelenskyy expressed scepticism toward Russian President Vladimir Putin: “I don’t trust Putin. He doesn’t want success for Ukraine. I believe he can say such words to President Trump… but it’s not true really.”

Following the Mar-a-Lago meeting, Zelenskyy said he and Trump were 90% in agreement on a draft 20-point plan, even as Moscow continues to insist on its territorial demands. The announcement came after Russia attacked Kyiv, while Moscow claimed—without confirmation—that a Ukrainian drone targeted Putin’s home in Novgorod, which Ukraine denied.

By Khagan Isayev