Ukraine's president says it's possible to hold a referendum on neutrality

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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev could hold a national referendum on neutrality status after negotiations with Russia.


"As for Russia's desire for Ukraine's neutral status. If this is one of the terms of the agreements on ending the war, we are ready to consider Ukraine's neutrality status," the president said. Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel on May 3 when asked about Ukraine's neutrality and not joining NATO if this helps to end the conflict with Russia.


"However, only if we get security guarantees from specific countries, not empty agreements. And if we reach serious agreements and guarantee their security. me, and at the same time Russia accepts those agreements, we will hold a referendum and Ukraine will make a decision," Zelensky added.


President Zelensky also said that other issues besides neutrality, including the release of temporarily occupied territories, also need to be discussed.


According to President Zelensky, he has not had any talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the end of 2019 when the last Normandy Quad conference was held.


In an earlier interview, President Zelensky stated that Ukraine would not give up its eastern territories to end the war with Russia. Zelensky said that the most pressing issues in the negotiations with Russia are ensuring the security, neutrality of Ukraine, as well as the fate of some breakaway territories such as Donetsk, Lugansk and Crimea.


At peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, Turkey in March, Ukraine proposed to sign a new international treaty on security guarantees, which stipulates obligations to guarantors for the supply of goods and services. provide military assistance to Ukraine in the event of an attack.


A neutral country is a country that does not participate in military alliances, does not sign treaties leading to armed conflict, does not participate in war except in self-defense, does not provide finance, weapons, and means of conduct. war, does not allow the warring parties to recruit military personnel, and does not allow the establishment of military or logistical bases on their own territory. However, neutrality is interpreted differently from country to country.


The issue of Ukraine's neutrality and Ukraine's failure to join NATO are still seen as key elements in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the military operation in Ukraine will only end when Kiev guarantees its neutrality and makes security commitments to Russia.


The director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, said Ukraine's neutrality was very important to Russia. This is the minimum territorial barrier Russia needs to prevent attacks from the West.


Although not yet a member of NATO, Ukraine has been promised admission to the alliance. President Putin once said that the increasingly close relationship between Ukraine and NATO could turn this place into a launching pad for NATO missiles aimed at Russia. Therefore, Russia wants assurances on security issues from the West, including rescinding promises for Kiev to join NATO.

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