The possibility of establishing a free economic zone in part of Donetsk region could be considered after security guarantees for Ukraine are provided. If such a decision is made, a separate agreement would be concluded between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia to define the status of the special economic zone, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“Once security guarantees for Ukraine are in place, the parties may consider the possibility of creating a free economic zone in part of Donetsk region. If this decision is taken, a separate agreement will be signed between Ukraine, the United States, and the Russians, which will define the status of the special economic zone and outline the steps that both sides of the conflict must take on an equivalent basis to relocate their forces,” Zelensky said while speaking to journalists.
He stressed that if such a zone is created in Donbas at a distance of 5, 10, or 40 kilometers from the line of contact, then Russian forces must withdraw by 5, 10, or 40 kilometers accordingly.
“The area from which our troops have withdrawn would be under our administration and our police, because it is a free economic zone and someone must ensure law and order there. Certainly not so-called Russian ‘police.’ And where they withdraw to, their forces would remain there,” the president noted.
Zelensky emphasized that Russia has repeatedly broken its promises, which is why today’s contact line is effectively turning into the line of a free economic zone.
“There must be international forces on the ground to genuinely guarantee that no one enters the area under any pretext — neither ‘little green men’ nor Russian military personnel disguised as civilians,” he stressed.
The president added that only a referendum could determine whether Ukrainian citizens agree to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk region, where a “free economic zone” would be created.
“Do you remember the story about ‘exchanging territories’? No one could fully understand what that meant. This is their proposal. The proposal looked like this: they leave these territories and want us to leave Donbas, where a ‘free economic zone’ would be created,” he said.
“If we come to the idea of a potential free economic zone in Donbas, we explain that under Ukrainian law we cannot do this — even potentially,” Zelensky added.
According to him, if such a proposal is discussed, it would require a special format and, therefore, a special decision — meaning a referendum.
“Only a referendum can determine whether people agree to such a path, if the proposal for Ukraine is exactly this — either this, or war.”
