Zelensky hints at possible referendum amid calls for peace talks

Volodymyr Zelensky told the newspaper "Le Monde" that he does not rule out holding a referendum on the future of Ukrainian territories to end the war, but "it requires the will of the Ukrainian people."

- Referendum? This is what the Ukrainian people should want. I will say frankly: this is not the best option, because we are dealing with Putin and it will be a victory for him if he seizes part of our territories - said Zelensky.

According to the president of the country, Ukraine should not liberate all its territories by "force and weapons," because this option "costs us a lot of time and human lives." Zelensky added: -  We can return our territories through diplomatic means.

This is another groundbreaking statement from the Ukrainian leader. On July 22, he said in an interview with the BBC that Ukraine is ready to negotiate the end of the war with Russia, even if Vladimir Putin leads the latter. According to the president of Ukraine, the most essential thing in this matter is a genuine desire for peace on terms consistent with international law.

- We see that at the second peace summit, if the plan is fully ready and if Russia is ready to discuss this plan and agree on ending the war according to the UN charter... then we will be ready to talk together with our partners with representatives of Russia. Whether it will be Putin or not Putin - what's the difference, let's be honest - said Zelensky.

He added that the "hot" stage of the war could end before the end of 2024, but the peace plan must be fully agreed with Ukraine's allies "so that no one plays with their own initiatives for ending the war."

In mid-July, the zn.ua portal published the results of a survey showing that slightly less than half of Ukrainians believe the time has come to start negotiations with Russia.

Respondents were asked, "Do you think the time has come for Ukraine and Russia to start official peace talks?"

44 percent were "yes,” 35 percent were "no.” 21 percent were unable to provide a clear answer.

Most supporters of peace negotiations with Moscow live in the southern part of the country – 60 percent. Next is the central part – 49 percent. The fewest supporters of negotiations with Russia are residents of eastern and western Ukraine (33 percent and 35 percent, respectively).

According to a Levada Center survey conducted at the beginning of summer, 58 percent of Russian citizens want peace negotiations with Ukraine.

On July 10, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had met earlier with Volodymyr Zelensky, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin, said that Russia and China expect peace negotiations on Ukraine to begin this year. In this regard, he called on EU countries to take their own peace initiatives without waiting for the presidential elections in the United States. The head of the Hungarian government also said that Putin would agree to a truce with Ukraine if it "does not serve the hidden relocation and reorganization of Ukrainian forces."

In June, Putin announced the conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of peace negotiations. He demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the unoccupied parts of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions and the refusal of Ukraine to join NATO. This proposal was rejected in Kyiv, considering it an ultimatum.