Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Axios before the talks with the US side that if the final 20-point plan requires a “very difficult” solution on the territorial issue, then the optimal path would be to submit it to a national referendum in Ukraine.
Zelensky specified that he is ready to submit the peace plan to a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire for at least 60 days. Zelensky acknowledged the progress in the settlement, but noted that US President Donald Trump's plan requires Ukraine to make painful territorial concessions, the publication reports.
The United States views Zelensky's readiness to hold a referendum as an important step forward, Axios notes. However, as the Ukrainian leader himself has stressed, organizing the vote is fraught with serious political and security risks, so its holding will require at least a 60-day ceasefire.
A senior US official told Axios that the Russians understand the need for a ceasefire if Zelensky initiates a referendum, but want a shorter period. Zelensky also expressed doubts about Moscow’s readiness to accept Trump’s plan, noting that he will rely only on direct statements from the leaders.
A Ukrainian official told Axios that Trump and Zelensky intend to hold a conference call with European leaders on Saturday, December 27. According to the source, the call on Saturday is needed to inform everyone about the current state of the negotiations. The talks between Trump and Zelensky are scheduled for the next day, December 28, in Florida, the publication reports.
Zelensky earlier said in an interview with Axios that most aspects of the future bilateral agreement with the United States have already been agreed and are set out in five documents. He noted that a sixth document could be added. On the key issue of security guarantees, the president said that Ukraine is ready to sign, although some technical details remain.