Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that if Russia continued the referendum in the occupied area in his country to join Russia, there was no talks with Ukraine or its international allies. Their Russian and Separatist troops now hold large territories in the East Ukraine Donbas region and in the southern region after launching what is called Kremlin as a “special military operation” to its neighboring territory. Officials in both regions have increased the possibility of holding a referendum.
In his speech at night, Zelensky said Kyiv held fast to his position not to produce territory to Russia. “The position of our country remains as usual. We will not give anything about what is ours,” said Zelensky. “If the invaders continue along the pseudo-referendum path, they will close themselves every opportunity to talk to Ukraine and the free world, which Russia will be clearly needed at several points.”
Russian and Ukraine officials held several discussion sessions immediately after Russian troops launched their invasion to Ukraine in February But a little progress made and there were no meetings held since the end of March, with each party blaming the others to stop contact. Russian troops hold most of the Kherson regions in South Ukraine and responsible officials have suggested that referendum to join Russia can be held in a few weeks or months.
In Donbas, Russian proxy seized regional pieces in 2014, held a referendum of independence and declared a “People’s Republic” in the Luhanansk and Donetsk regions. Kremlin recognizes the Republic on the night of the February invasion. The Governor of the Luhanansk Region – Almost all under Russia’s control for several weeks – suggested that during the weekend that Russia was preparing a new referendum in the newly captured area and offered population allowances to take part.
