Ukraine is currently exploring the possibility of holding a referendum to grant legitimate status to a peace plan that may result in territorial concessions, particularly regarding the Donbas region. This plan is being discussed amid recent consultations between Kirilo Budanov, who has been appointed as the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, and advisors to President Zelensky to find legal and practical means of withdrawing troops from the area without allowing Russian forces to enter the vacated territories. Reports indicate that the government is also looking at ways to convince the public to support such an agreement.

President Zelensky has indicated his openness to conducting the referendum simultaneously with the upcoming presidential elections, suggesting that this could increase voter turnout and enhance the legitimacy of the process. He emphasized that any decision made regarding this plan must be acceptable to Ukraine, highlighting the importance of national consensus on territorial integrity and security matters. The context of these discussions points to an ongoing struggle for peace amid a complicated geopolitical landscape marked by the war with Russia.

This move comes as Ukraine seeks various paths to secure a lasting peace while managing domestic opinions and international expectations. The potential referendum signifies a crucial moment in Ukraine's approach to resolving the conflict in the East, balancing both internal unity and external pressures, particularly from Western allies and Russia. The implications of this decision could affect not only the military landscape in Donbas but also the broader political dynamics in the region.