The creation of a demilitarized, free economic zone in eastern Ukraine is being discussed as part of talks to end the war in Ukraine. The plan would see Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and Russia would be expected to withdraw its troops there.
“The Russians want the whole of Donbas, we don't accept that,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters in Kiev on Thursday.
The Ukrainian territory, which the Russians have failed to fully seize in nearly four years of war, is now at the center of ongoing discussions between Washington, Kiev and Moscow in search of a way to end the war. According to Zelensky, the US is proposing that Donbas become a "free economic zone", while Russia is pushing for a "demilitarized zone", Bloomberg reported.
In any case, this will require Ukrainian and Russian forces to withdraw from both sides of the front line, Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podoliak told the French "Le Monde". It is not yet clear whether all weapons will have to be withdrawn from there, or whether this will only apply to heavy weapons. But in any case, the presence of an observation mission and a foreign contingent will be required to monitor compliance with the agreed conditions, Podoliak also told the French publication. Kiev wants American participation in them.
Referendum on Donbas?
According to the Ukrainian president, any compromise related to the cession of territories to the country should be subject to a national vote. “I believe that the Ukrainian people must answer this question - whether in elections or through a referendum, but the Ukrainian people must have the right to vote“, emphasized Zelensky.“This is a question that the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian people must answer, is also the position of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We made it clear to President Trump”, he commented on Thursday in Berlin after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.”On Wednesday evening, the Ukrainian side sent Washington the revised peace plan. The draft is not the final version. “This plan is constantly being revised and edited. "This is a long process that is still ongoing," Zelensky said.