On December 26, the Center for Public Analytics “Vezha” hosted a discussion between head Valerii Klochok and political scientist/international affairs expert Maksym Nesvytai. The main topic was the latest developments regarding possible peace accords among Ukraine, the USA, and Russia, as well as Donbas’s role in these efforts.
That same day, it was announced that on December 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Donald Trump in the USA to discuss security guarantees and other key issues. Reporting also surfaced about a potential ceasefire during these immediate negotiations, with Russia insisting on full control over Donbas.
The participants noted that Ukraine’s real security guarantees could only come with the deployment of partner military bases or stable defense funding; current assurances remain vague and lacking details.
Special attention was paid to the possibility of a referendum on the status of occupied Donbas territories. Zelensky confirmed that both a referendum and elections are part of a 20-point peace plan, requiring agreement from all four main parties—Ukraine, USA, Europe, and Russia. Russia, however, has not issued any official statement.
Holding a referendum is seen as an attempt by Ukrainian leadership to avoid individual political responsibility, while for Russia, it presents an opportunity to test influence mechanisms for future elections. The prospects for external interference and propaganda are also discussed as key risks during peace processes.
In conclusion, the experts emphasized that quick solutions are unlikely—much depends on the US stance, Russian actions, and internal Ukrainian political dynamics.
