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Zelenskyy Open to Referendum on Trump Peace Deal If Russia Agrees to 60-Day Ceasefire
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he hopes to agree with US President Donald Trump on a framework to end the war with Russia and is prepared to put the plan, which could involve territorial concessions, to a nationwide referendum if a ceasefire of at least 60 days can be secured. The two leaders are expected to meet on December 28 to finalize the proposal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope in an interview with Axios on December 26 that he and US President Donald Trump could agree on a framework to end the war with Russia during their upcoming meeting on December 28.
According to Zelenskyy, the basis of the talks is a 20-point plan, most of which has already been coordinated between the US and Ukrainian sides. He said the plan is still subject to changes and that a national referendum might be needed to legitimize the final decision—if a ceasefire of at least 60 days can be secured.
Axios previously reported that Trump’s proposal includes significant concessions from Ukraine, including ceding parts of the eastern Donbas region, limiting the size of Ukraine’s military, and abandoning its bid to join NATO.
Zelenskyy said he still hopes to improve the terms, but acknowledged that if the final deal requires a “very difficult” decision on territory, it will likely need to be put to a national referendum.
One of the remaining unresolved issues is the duration of the proposed US security commitments.
“I think we are ready with these documents,” Zelenskyy said, but added that some “technical things” still require discussion.
The current US proposal outlines a 15-year renewable pact, which Ukraine views as insufficient. “I think we need more than 15 years,” he said. “If President Trump agrees with that during our meeting, I would consider it a big success.”
Zelenskyy noted that while intelligence suggests Moscow is aware of the need for a ceasefire if a referendum is announced, it remains unclear whether Russia is ready to accept the broader terms of the deal.
He acknowledged the role of American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in advancing negotiations, and credited his national security advisor, Rustem Umerov, for leading Ukraine’s side.
Zelenskyy also floated the idea that a visit to Ukraine by Trump himself could help explain the benefits of the agreement to the public.
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A Ukrainian official told Axios that Zelenskyy, Trump, and European leaders are expected to hold a joint call on December 27, ahead of Zelenskyy’s talks with Trump.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the process has entered a critical phase requiring direct talks between heads of state.
“We’ve moved beyond working-level talks. Now it’s time for decisions,” he said.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time outlined a conditional willingness to adjust Ukrainian troop deployments in the country’s east.
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