If agreements are reached with Moscow in Kyiv, President Zelensky would like to have them approved by the Ukrainian people in a referendum.
KIEV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants a country-wide referendum on all agreements reached in negotiations with Russia. The head of state announced this on television.
The final form of compromises with Russia on security guarantees and on the occupied areas of Ukraine must be approved in a referendum. Both warring parties are currently negotiating with each other. However, there are no concrete agreements yet.
No ultimatums from Russia
“I have said to all the negotiating groups: if you talk about all the changes, even if they are historic, we are not going anywhere. We will proceed to a referendum,” Zelenskyy said. The people must have their say about “this or that form” of compromise. At the same time, Zelenskyi fundamentally rejected ultimatums from Russia. “Ukraine cannot fulfill ultimatums of the Russian Federation,” he said. “You have to destroy us all. Then their ultimatum will be fulfilled automatically.”
Russia had asked the Ukrainian troops in the besieged port of Mariupol to lay down their arms and leave the city on Monday morning. Such a capitulation was categorically rejected by the Ukrainian leadership. “There will be no surrender, no laying down of arms,” said Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk. The Ukrainians let the ultimatum pass. dpa
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