Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that any “compromise” made with Russia to end the invasion of the country by Russian forces would require a referendum.
The Ukrainian people would need to vote on any deal reached before it is finalized, Zelensky said during an interview with Ukrainian public broadcasting channel Suspilne.
BIDEN TO VISIT POLAND ON UKRAINE-FOCUSED EUROPE TRIP
“The people will have to speak up and respond to this or that form of compromise. And what they will be is the subject of our talks and understanding between Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky said, according to a translation by Reuters.
Territories occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea, or security promises offered by countries could be among the matters raised in a referendum.
Zelensky indicated he is ready to move forward with proposals that are favored by Ukrainian citizens but did not say when such a referendum would begin.
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Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have made little tangible progress in the fourth week of the conflict.
The Kremlin accused Ukrainian officials of making unacceptable proposals.
“For us to speak of a meeting between the two presidents, homework has to be done,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on a call with reporters, according to Reuters. “There has been no significant progress so far.”
Zelensky said Sunday that Ukraine was prepared to negotiate with Russia but draws the line at surrendering.
“You cannot just demand from Ukraine to recognize some territories as independent republics. These compromises are simply wrong,” Zelensky told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in an interview.
