Ukraine would need referendum or vote to approve peace deal, Zelenskyy says

The comments underscore a potential procedural hurdle for any settlement, as Kyiv would be required under domestic law to formally endorse the terms through a parliamentary vote or a national referendum, even as Washington pushes for a comprehensive agreement signed in one step.

The main sticking point remains Donbas. According to Zelenskyy, both Ukraine and Russia are skeptical about a U.S. proposal to establish a free economic zone in the region.

“Neither side is thrilled with the idea of a free economic zone — neither the Russians nor we are,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, though he did not rule out such a possibility.

The Ukrainian president noted that a previous round of talks in early February between Russian, Ukrainian and American officials in Abu Dhabi was constructive. He added that the war in Ukraine could end within a few months if negotiations continue “in good faith.”

Zelenskyy stressed that the United States must clarify its position on who would control the buffer zone.

“If this is our territory — and it is — then the country to which this territory belongs should govern it,” the president said.

He said the United States wants all documents on a peace settlement to be signed at once. However, he recalled that Ukraine would have to hold a national referendum or a vote in parliament to approve any peace proposal.

“So far, we are also discussing a plan for the sequence of all our actions, including the signing of documents,” Zelenskyy said. He expressed hope that “after the next meeting there should be an understanding.”

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine, together with American and European partners, is working on three separate documents related to security and the country’s postwar development. These include a 20-point framework agreement, a document on security guarantees and a program for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Ukraine’s Central Election Commission commented on reports that Zelenskyy could announce a plan to hold elections and a referendum on a peace agreement by May 15. Deputy head of the commission Serhii Dubovyk recalled that under Ukrainian law, any electoral processes and referendums are possible only after martial law is lifted or ended.