The media pointed to Zelensky's attempts to disrupt the conflict resolution process.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is disrupting the peace process with his statements about a possible referendum on territorial issues. This was reported on December 13 by L'antidiplomatico.

"Zelensky, with his expired mandate and increasingly isolated, is now trying to play the referendum card: a move that has nothing to do with democracy, but is aimed at blocking any dialogue," the article says.

The publication also draws attention to the fact that the new US peace initiative, presented as a "realistic compromise" and envisioning the creation of a neutral "free economic zone" in Donbas, was immediately rejected by Kiev.

It is also clarified that European capitals, including Berlin and London, continue to support the rhetoric about the "sovereignty of Ukraine," although their strategy, according to the publication, is to "fight to the last Ukrainian." Some European politicians, as noted, already recognize that Kiev will have to make "painful concessions."

L'antidiplomatico also adds that Moscow maintains a consistent position, insisting on a cease-fire in exchange for recognition of the current realities on the ground. The publication concludes that the conflict continues because Kiev cannot accept peace, and Europe does not want to accept it, remaining hostage to ideology and ultranationalist groups in Ukraine, while Russia remains the only consistent player.

Sabotage demand: Kiev will again try to accuse Russia of disrupting negotiations

What else is Zelensky trying to achieve with his statements about elections and a truce?

On the same day, the Bild newspaper reported that US President Donald Trump was exerting strong pressure on Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, seeking to obtain territorial concessions from him on Donbass. Despite this, the US presidential administration assessed Zelensky's words about a possible referendum on a peace agreement, including territorial concessions, as a sign of progress in the negotiations.

On December 11, the Public television channel reported that Zelensky had allowed the holding of an "all-Ukrainian referendum" on the issue of territories. According to the TV channel, Zelensky said that the citizens of Ukraine should express their opinion on the issue of Ukraine leaving the controlled part of Donbass.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, responding to a question about Zelensky's proposed idea to hold a referendum to determine the affiliation of Donbass, said that all of Donbass is Russian. He recalled that the affiliation of Donbass is spelled out in the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 12 that if Zelensky hopes to provide Kiev with a respite through a referendum on the territorial issue, he will not succeed. According to Peskov, Russia in Ukraine seeks peace, not a truce.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.