The key facts

  • Zelensky: a deal with Russia must be supported by the Ukrainian people, since it involves territorial losses
  • Ukraine is willing to accept a freeze of the conflict along the front line, according to Zelensky
  • Kyiv demands the return of about 9.5 million citizens; talks took place in Oslo and St. Petersburg

Zelensky on the referendum

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the Fox & Friends program that any peace agreement with Russia should be put to a referendum. His remarks were cited by Bloomberg. In his view, the Ukrainian people should have a say in a decision that would entail territorial losses. “Of course, we can support or not support this deal. But above all, only one nation must support it: the Ukrainian people, because these are our losses,” Zelensky said.

Freezing the conflict and the return of citizens

In the Fox interview, Zelensky also said that Ukraine would agree to a freeze of the conflict with Russia along the front line. In addition, he stressed that Kyiv needs the return home of about 9.5 million citizens of the country.

Talks in Oslo and St. Petersburg

On October 20, talks between representatives of Ukraine, Europe and the United States took place in Oslo. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that the territorial issue was among the topics discussed. On October 21, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. During the meeting, Witkoff expressed hope that Putin would consider the possibility of resuming trilateral talks on Ukraine. Earlier, Ukraine reacted pessimistically to the talks in Oslo and St. Petersburg.