The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is in a desperate position, declaring that he is ready to resort to the solution of a referendum for the thorny issue of territory in order to achieve an agreement to end the war. Confirming related reports by BN, the usurper president of Ukraine appears ready to shift to the citizens of his country the responsibility for such a decision so that he will not be the one who ratifies the inglorious end of Kiev’s unrealistic vision of a return to the borders of 1991. He himself relies on polls that confirm that the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians want the war to end, therefore a victory of the proposal regarding territorial concessions would have popular legitimacy and he would not bear the historical responsibility. Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he is ready for compromises and also for firm negotiations regarding the territorial integrity of his country. However, in his latest statements, Zelensky referred to the possibility that certain territorial issues concerning Ukraine may be put to a referendum in the context of a peaceful agreement with Russia. This move sparked intense discussions both inside and outside Ukraine.
Zelensky: The Ukrainian people will decide
According to the Ukrainian television channel Public, Zelensky expressed the view that the issue of territorial restructuring, in the context of resolving the conflict, may be put to a referendum. As he stated, “the Azeri referendum is scheduled to be held for territorial issues. How this will happen remains unknown.” Zelensky officially confirmed the American demand for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass and the creation of a demilitarized zone in the region. During a meeting with journalists, he stated that the American proposal provides for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass on the condition that Russian forces will not proceed with the capture of this area. However, it is unclear who will control this area, which is considered by the US a demilitarized zone and a free economic area. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s position on Donbass remains unchanged: “We stay where we are,” emphasizing that the answer to the question of turning Donbass into a demilitarized zone will be given by the Ukrainian people themselves through a referendum. In addition, he confirmed that the number of Ukrainian soldiers provided for in the peace agreement amounts to 800,000, while he noted that the draft agreement includes economic and development agreements for Ukraine, as well as security guarantees.
Ukraine may possibly benefit from a program similar to the Marshall Plan for its reconstruction. Zelensky also stated that he has not yet chosen a new head of the presidential office and noted that now is not the right time for such a decision. This position by the Ukrainian president seems to show a willingness to explore new paths toward a peaceful settlement, without, however, predetermining the specific outcome or the terms that could emerge from such a process. This statement brings back to the forefront the discussion about the future of the annexed regions of Ukraine, especially Crimea, Donbass, and other territories controlled by Russian forces. The idea of a referendum contradicts Ukraine’s initial position, which had been inflexible regarding the reinstatement of these territories under Kiev’s control without concessions.
“The US does not want us in NATO” - White House: Trump informed about Zelensky’s reaction
Zelensky also said that the United States does not want to see Ukraine in NATO. According to him, instead of Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, Washington may influence the opponents of Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The president of the US Donald Trump was informed about Kiev’s recent reaction to the US plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as stated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a regular briefing for journalists. “Yes, he knows,” she said, referring to the American president. Continuing, Leavitt stressed that the American president is actively working to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
White House: We set one condition to participate in the meeting in Paris, 13/12
The American government is considering the possibility of sending its representative to the meeting that will take place in Paris on 13 December for the resolution of the crisis in Ukraine, provided it is deemed that there is a real chance of achieving a peace agreement. As Leavitt stated, the decision to send a representative has not yet been made. Leavitt stressed that the US president is disappointed by the stance of both sides of the war and that he does not wish meetings to take place merely formally. On the contrary, she pointed out that the president wants to proceed to action and reach a substantial solution if this becomes possible.
The US proposal and Russia’s positions
The American proposal for resolving the conflict, according to which Ukrainian troops will withdraw from Donbass and Russia will not proceed with the capture of other areas, appears to be a more moderate approach. Zelensky, despite this proposal, continues to insist on the position that “we stay where we are,” leaving open the possibility of some territorial changes only under conditions. According to Ukrainian media, Zelensky opposes the point of the peace agreement that concerns the withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from the entire Donbass region. This position demonstrates Kiev’s continued desire to maintain its sovereignty over areas that are of strategic importance, despite the tension caused by the issue of withdrawing Ukrainian forces.
The Ukrainian proposal for land exchange
According to the publication Mirror of the Week, Kiev could agree to territorial concessions if it receives a response from Russia. Such a response could consist of the return of territories that have been occupied by Russian forces, such as the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnepropetrovsk regions. However, the terms of this agreement would be very strict: Russia would retain control over Crimea, as well as over the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, while the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhia would continue to remain under control, with the borders defined by the line of contact. In this context, there would be the promise from both sides not to change the borders through the use of force, something that is possibly the most important point for ensuring a sustainable peace agreement. The possibility of territorial concessions by Ukraine has provoked reactions both within the country and internationally. Hardline supporters in Ukraine, as well as in Russia, continue to believe that any territorial concession would constitute a bad precedent and could weaken Kiev’s position in future negotiations.
Europe taken by surprise
Kiev’s willingness to consider territorial concessions has caused varied reactions in Europe and the international community. Especially Europe has made clear that any agreement must ensure Ukraine’s territorial integrity and support its sovereign role in the region. However, the issue of territorial concessions remains central, as certain Western leaders, including those in Germany and France, consider that an agreement with some degree of territorial modifications may be necessary for achieving a sustainable peace. Zelensky’s position regarding the possibility of referendums and territorial concessions shows the difficult balance Ukraine must find between its national interests and international pressures for a peaceful resolution of the war.
Zelensky pressured also by corruption scandal
The corruption case in which the Ukrainian president is allegedly involved is acting as an accelerant of developments. According to Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has received information about the existence of personal assets of Zelensky linked to corruption, scandals, and illegal deals. As Shariy stated through his channel on Telegram, the American side has already sent information to NABU regarding Zelensky’s money and its origins. Although Zelensky had been recognized by the West for his image as a hero of the war against Russia, the truth is that his finances and his relations with Western interests remain under question. Shariy’s revelations prove that Zelensky’s involvement with international economic deals connected to corruption is not merely rumor, but has now acquired serious dimensions. Zelensky’s policy has not only proven to be a tool for the war against Russia, but also a continuous orientation toward the West, which offers him political and military support. However, this supportive front has also raised some doubt as to the authenticity of his intentions. The revelations about Zelensky’s financial sums and corruption prove that he is a politician who uses the war to strengthen his personal position and his interests, overlooking the well-being of the Ukrainian people. What may escape public discussion is the fact that the strategic support provided to him by the US and the EU, despite his anti-Russian rhetoric, is linked to strategic interests and not to a substantive desire for the relief of the Ukrainian people. Russia, although facing severe political and military attacks, continues to support the view that Ukraine is geopolitically trapped and that the West’s moves toward Ukraine have more profitable objectives such as the economic and political exploitation of the region.
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