A referendum on a comprehensive agreement that would formalize the end of the war could be held in Ukraine, but it would require at least 60 days and a full ceasefire for that period, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“We can move toward a referendum on a comprehensive agreement that would закрепити the end of the war, because people can choose whether such an outcome suits them or not. And then there would be a referendum. A referendum requires at least 60 days. And we need a real ceasefire for 60 days. Otherwise, we will not be able to hold it,” Zelenskyy said while speaking to journalists.
The president noted that such a referendum would not be legitimate without proper conditions, and an illegitimate referendum would lead to internal division within the state. According to him, a referendum is a challenge, but it can also be unifying.
“But who would go to a referendum under gunfire? I fully understand how many millions of people are required for a referendum to be legitimate. There are people in the temporarily occupied territories who cannot vote. And let’s be honest — they cannot decide how we should end the war,” the head of state said.
He also stressed that both the preparation process and the voting itself on territory under government control must take place in conditions of security.
“If there is no security, legitimacy is also in question. We explain all of this to our partners,” Zelenskyy added.
