On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that there would be no discussions with Russia if it continued to hold referendums on Russian membership in the seized regions of his nation.
After initiating what the Kremlin refers to as a "special military operation" into its neighbor's land, Russian forces and their rebel allies now control substantial portions of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as well as the southern regions. Referendums may be held, according to officials in both regions.
Zelenskiy stated that Kiev was sticking to its stance of ceding no territory to Russia in his nightly video message.
“Our country’s position remains what it always has been. We will give up nothing of what is ours,” Zelenskiy said.
“If the occupiers proceed along the path of pseudo-referendums they will close for themselves any chance of talks with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will clearly need at some point.”
Soon after Russian forces began their invasion of Ukraine in February, Russian and Ukrainian leaders held multiple meetings.
However, there was little progress made, and there have been no meetings since late March, with each side blaming the other for the break in communication.
A referendum on joining Russia could be held in the upcoming weeks or months, according to those in charge of the Kherson area in southern Ukraine, which is largely held by Russian soldiers.
2014 saw the annexation of parts of Donbas by Russian proxy forces, who also held independence referendums and declared "people's republics" in the Luhansk and Donetsk areas. Before the February assault, the Kremlin recognised the republics.
The governor of Luhansk region — almost entirely under Russian control for several weeks — suggested over the weekend that Russia was preparing for a new referendum in newly captured areas and was offering residents benefits for taking part.