Zelensky allowed a referendum on the status of Donbass

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky does not exclude the possibility of holding a referendum on the status of Donbass. He announced this to the 1 + 1 TV channel.

“I do not rule out a referendum on Donbass as a whole. And here the question is not about the status. We can have this in life, ”Zelensky said.

According to him, a referendum can be “regarding Donbass, regarding Crimea” – “maybe in general.”

Zelensky added that the “Normandy format” of negotiations on the settlement of the Donbass problem can be supplemented by a platform for contacts between Russia and the United States. “And here is a very delicate surgical moment – how not to lose the Normandy format, because without building anything, you can destroy what is. And for us it is very important not to lose, because (French President Emmanuel) Macron is interested in him, ”Zelensky said.

According to the President of Ukraine, his American counterpart Joe Biden conveyed that he had received assurances that Russia would not continue to escalate on the territory of Ukraine.

In addition, Zelensky does not exclude the possibility of direct negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation, while he is supported by partners in the European Union and the United States.

“Today I have the reaction that everyone is for it, that there are several ways, and that as many countries as possible do everything possible to stop the war in the east of Ukraine. But even with these two directions, I do not exclude, and I have such confirmation and support, I am not excluding a separate format of direct negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation. I see support for this direction from both European partners and the United States, ”he explained.

Meanwhile, the day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the events in Donbass resemble genocide.

Recall that in recent weeks, the world and Ukrainian media have reported about the “alarming” movements of Russian military equipment in regions close to Ukraine, which allegedly could become a harbinger of a military conflict between the two countries.