Rome, 26 December (LaPresse) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios that he hopes to agree on a framework with US President Donald Trump to end the war when they meet on Sunday. Zelensky, Axios reports, also revealed that he is willing to put that plan to a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire of at least 60 days. The portal notes that although Zelensky stressed that great progress has been made, Trump's plan still requires Ukraine to make painful territorial concessions in the east. Zelensky still hopes to improve these terms and has said that he will have to seek the approval of the Ukrainian people if they fail to reach a “strong” position on the territory. The US side, Axios reports, considers Zelensky's willingness to hold a referendum and no longer ruling out territorial concessions to be a significant step forward. But, as Zelensky pointed out during his telephone interview with Axios, holding such a plebiscite would entail serious political, logistical and security complications. That is why he believes that a 60-day ceasefire to organise and hold the vote “is the minimum”.
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