KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday mentioned he did not exclude holding a referendum on the long run standing of war-torn japanese Ukraine and the Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Zelenskiy did not give element on how and when a referendum might be held, however mentioned it was one of many choices to revive a stalled peace course of in japanese Ukraine and finish a standoff with neighbouring Russia.
Ukraine has scrambled to shore up assist from Western allies in latest weeks, accusing Russia of massing tens of 1000’s of troops close to its borders in preparation for a attainable giant scale army offensive.
Relations between Kyiv and Moscow collapsed after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and Moscow-backed forces seized territory in japanese Ukraine that Kyiv desires again. Kyiv says some 14,000 individuals have been killed in preventing since then.
“I do not rule out a referendum on Donbass typically,” Zelenskiy advised the 1+1 tv channel. “It is likely to be about Donbass, it is likely to be about Crimea, it is likely to be about ending the warfare typically,” he mentioned. “So it might be that somebody, this or that nation can supply us sure circumstances.”
Zelenskiy has welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden taking a “private function” in making an attempt to finish the warfare in japanese Ukraine. Zelenskiy mentioned Biden had conveyed Russian reassurances that Moscow would not trigger an escalation.
Zelenskiy additionally mentioned he would not rule out direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia demanded on Friday that NATO rescind a 2008 dedication to Ukraine and Georgia that they might sooner or later turn into members and mentioned the alliance ought to promise not to deploy weapons in international locations bordering Russia that would threaten its safety.
Russia denies planning any assault on Ukraine however accuses Kyiv and Washington of destabilising behaviour, and has mentioned it wants safety ensures for its personal safety.
Ukraine has dismissed Moscow’s calls for for safety ensures as illegitimate and Zelenskiy mentioned Biden had not tried to power concessions on him.
“We did not speak about any compromises,” he mentioned.
(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; writing by Matthias Williams; modifying by Barbara Lewis)
