Zelensky Pushes Public Vote on Ukraine Peace Plan, Calls for 60-Day Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on December 29, 2025, that a proposed 20-point peace plan to end Russia's ongoing invasion should be submitted to a national referendum for public approval. Speaking to reporters via a WhatsApp chat, Zelensky emphasized the importance of direct citizen involvement in deciding the framework, which aims to resolve the conflict that has ravaged the country since February 2022. He highlighted that organizing such a vote would require a ceasefire of at least 60 days to ensure safety and logistical feasibility amid the active hostilities, underscoring the challenges of holding elections in a war-torn nation.

The 20-point plan, unveiled in recent weeks, includes provisions for territorial integrity, security guarantees, and coordinated international responses to aggression. Negotiations have reportedly advanced significantly, with Zelensky noting that Ukraine and U.S. representatives have agreed on approximately 90% of the outline, including full consensus on long-term security assurances. Sources indicate the U.S. has offered a 15-year security guarantee as part of the deal, potentially involving NATO and European allies in military support to deter future threats. This development follows renewed diplomatic efforts, including discussions between Zelensky and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed optimism about brokering a truce.

In response, the Kremlin reiterated its hardline stance, demanding that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the remaining parts of the Donbas region under Kyiv's control as a prerequisite for peace. Russian officials warned that failure to negotiate on these terms would result in further territorial losses for Ukraine, reflecting Moscow's insistence on recognizing its annexations in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. This position aligns with Russia's narrative of the conflict as a defensive operation against perceived NATO expansion and Ukrainian aggression.

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The proposal adds a new layer to the protracted war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, while straining global relations. As diplomatic channels remain open amid Trump's impending inauguration, the referendum idea signals Zelensky's commitment to democratic processes, though skeptics question its practicality without international enforcement of a ceasefire. The coming weeks could prove pivotal in determining whether these talks yield a breakthrough or escalate tensions further in Eastern Europe.

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