According to reports from Ukraine on December 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted on Thursday that a referendum might be held, allowing Ukrainians to decide whether to cede territory to Russia to help bring an end to Russia’s invasion.
The remarks come as the United States is pressuring Kyiv to make concessions on the Donbas region as part of a peace settlement—a war aim of the Kremlin and a red line for Kyiv, since Ukraine’s constitution prohibits territorial cessions.
Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday that ultimately, it will be the Ukrainian people who decide the price of peace, hinting at the possibility of elections or a referendum.
He was quoted as saying: “I believe the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Whether through elections or a referendum, the Ukrainian people must make their stance clear.”
US President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that 82% of Ukrainians “want a settlement”—a claim that contradicts local surveys and interviews with Ukrainian media, which show that the majority reject peace at the cost of territorial concessions or restricted sovereignty.
Zelenskyy also confirmed rumors that the current proposal would force Ukrainian troops to withdraw from their own territory, while occupying Russian forces would not be required to pull out.
He stated that, according to the Kremlin, the US has proposed designating the region as a “free economic” zone or a “demilitarized” zone.
However, Zelenskyy pointed out that key issues remain unresolved, including who will control the region, how supervision mechanisms will operate, whether Russian troops will withdraw in equal measure, and how to prevent Russians disguised as “civilians” from infiltrating.
