Zelensky: Russia will close the possibility of negotiations if it holds pseudo-referendums in southern Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will comment on the possibility of holding pro-Russian referendum routes in the southern territories of the country. He noted that if Russia allows the electoral process to take place, it will close all possibilities for negotiations with Ukraine.
“We don’t give anything of ours, and if the occupiers go through pseudo-referendums, then they will close any possibility of negotiations with Ukraine and the free world for themselves, the Russian parties will definitely consume at a certain moment,” the head of state said in a daily video message to the nation, published in his Telegram channel.
Mr. Zelensky also noted that the key currently is still “a weapon for our defense, a weapon from partners.” “Daily and without any breaks in work to detect violations, in order to send higher and longer systems to the front line,” he added.
Russian citizens have been in control of the territory of Kherson and Zaporozhye regions since spring and autumn. In June, Kirill Stremousov, who calls himself deputy head of the military-civilian administration of the Kherson region, said that a referendum in the field of health care is expected in the fall of 2022. He did not give specific dates. Also, a referendum is planned to be held in the Zaporozhye region. In July, the pro-Russian authorities of the Zaporizhia region got rid of the need to establish an electoral committee to hold a referendum.
Member of the Federation Council Sergei Tsekov said that the referendums on leaving for Russia were recognized as Russians by the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye borders of passage “within a year.”
Read more about the situation in Ukraine in the online broadcast “Kommersant”.