The creation of a free economic zone in Donbas is a format that could potentially take into account the positions of both the Ukrainian and Russian sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this while speaking with journalists, Suspilne reports.
According to the president, Russia is seeking the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region, while Ukraine opposes such a move. At the same time, he said, U.S. partners are trying to find a format that would consider the positions of both sides. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine insists on the wording “potential economic zones,” as there are currently two options for territorial arrangements that could be fixed in a peace agreement.
The first option envisages fixing the line of contact as it stands at the time the agreement is adopted. If there is no agreement on the principle of “we stay where we are,” Zelenskyy said, then there are only two options left — the continuation of the war or the need to resolve the issue through potential economic zones.
Zelenskyy specified that one “small but necessary” free economic zone could be established in the demilitarized city of Enerhodar. A second free economic zone could appear in part of the Donetsk region, particularly in areas such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. In this case, the zone would effectively be demilitarized, with heavy forces withdrawn to a distance of between 5 and 40 kilometers. In areas from which Ukrainian troops withdraw, Ukrainian administration and police would remain, while Russian forces would stay on the other side.
The president also noted that, given Russia’s repeated violations of its commitments, the contact line could effectively turn into a free economic zone with the presence of international forces tasked with ensuring order and security.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that the creation of a free economic zone in Donbas is impossible without a special decision. Under Ukrainian law, such a format can only be approved through a special vote in parliament or by referendum. He added that the U.S. side is pushing for a referendum, but in that case the entire peace document — not individual provisions — would have to be put to a vote.
According to Zelenskyy, a referendum would only be possible if a ceasefire is guaranteed for at least 60 days. Otherwise, it would not be legitimate and could lead to internal division. He also stressed that Ukrainians living in temporarily occupied territories would not be able to take part in such a vote.
As stated in point 14 of the peace plan currently being discussed by Ukraine with U.S. partners, the creation of a free economic zone would require special approval by the Ukrainian parliament or a referendum. Zelenskyy added that a referendum would provide the greatest confidence in the legitimacy of such a decision.