Zelenskyy: Ukraine peace referendum "extremely difficult" under current conditions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that holding a referendum on a peace plan remains extremely difficult under current conditions, arguing that Russia is unwilling to support the basic requirements needed for such a vote.

In a statement published on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said a referendum would require a stable ceasefire and a comprehensive security system lasting at least 60 days. He claimed Russia was not prepared to agree to such a truce and was continuing to exert pressure on Ukraine through ongoing military action.

The president also questioned the strength of previous international agreements, noting that neither the Budapest Memorandum nor the Minsk agreements had prevented Russia’s full-scale invasion. As a result, Ukraine is insisting on what he described as “real and legally binding” security guarantees.

Zelenskyy said any agreements with the United States should be backed by both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament, while deals with European countries must be ratified by their national parliaments to ensure they carry genuine legal force.

He reiterated that Ukraine’s proposed 20-point peace plan should ultimately be put to a nationwide referendum. According to the president, a direct vote by millions of citizens would be the strongest confirmation of the plan’s legitimacy. He added that a just peace would only be possible if it was supported by the Ukrainian people, particularly those most affected by the war.

Addressing the issue of Donbas, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would act in line with its national interests. “We have our own land, our own territorial integrity, our own state and our own interests,” he said.

The president also stated that Ukraine expects reparations from Russia. He said frozen Russian assets in Europe were intended to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction, adding that the country could receive the first $100 billion within the next two years. These funds, he said, would be directed either towards rebuilding the country or towards defence if the war continues.

By Aghakazim Guliyev