Zelenskyy signals public referendum for land swaps in peace with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answered questions from journalists. Addressing diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia, Zelenskyynoted that the U.S. peace planrequested that Ukraine withdraw its troops from certain parts of the Donetskregion and that in thisregion, a buffer zone be established betweenUkraine and Russia,which would bea demilitarized bufferzone would be establishedas an accelerated "free economiczone," but noted that Russiadoes not want to withdraw itstroops from thisregion.

In the peace plan, two Stating that there aresignificant points of disagreement, Zelenskyy noted that these include the Donetskregion and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.Zelenskyy stated that he does not have the "constitutional" authorityto conduct land swaps with Russia,expressing that the finalword on this issue must come from the Ukrainian people.Zelenskyy added, "I believe the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Bewhether through elections or a referendum, the Ukrainian peoplemust take a position," he said.

Regarding the idea of Ukraine'sunilateral withdrawalfrom the Donetsk region, he isopposed to it.Zelenskyy added that there are still "manypoints"that remain unresolved.

Following the peace plan prepared by the U.S. to endthe Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine and the E3 group of countries, consisting of the U.K., France, and Germany, also presented a 20-point counter-proposalto the U.S. It was stated that the new proposal included fresh ideas regarding issues related to land swaps.