Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised questions on the US peace Proposal that envisages the creation of a “free economic zone” in the eastern Donetsk and Donbas regions. On Saturday, Ukrainian officials indicated that President Zelenskyy, along with other lawmakers, may not accept the deal unless it is “fair and just” since territorial concessions require public approval via elections or a referendum.
Zelenskyy has raised eyebrows over the US’s demand for the creation of a free economic zone in the eastern Donetsk region. The plan would involve a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops and a guarantee that no Russian forces would enter the area.
Experts suggest that in both cases, Ukraine will lose its territory. The western backers of Ukraine fear betrayal in the ongoing peace negotiations.
Analysts believe Russia and the US are on the same side of this conflict, trying to create a free economic zone.
While Zelenskyy earlier had stated that imposing unilateral withdrawal on Ukraine was wrong and stressed that if one side pulls out, the other must follow suit.
The question arises regarding who and how the ceded territory will be governed.
Meanwhile, Russian presidential aide YuryUshakov spoke about the issue, saying the eastern Donbas region, including Donetsk, will remain under Russian control.
He added that officials in Moscow have not seen a revised version of the US plan. However, he insisted that it would not be more "attractive" than before.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by the president himself and the EU, is set to discuss the implications of the US peace proposal in Paris later today.
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