{"id":1337125,"date":"2025-12-26T10:29:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T08:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/the-presidents-duty-why-a-peace-agreement-cannot-be-approved-by-referendum\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T05:49:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T03:49:15","slug":"the-presidents-duty-why-a-peace-agreement-cannot-be-approved-by-referendum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/the-presidents-duty-why-a-peace-agreement-cannot-be-approved-by-referendum\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangerous Illusion of Voting on Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: Author’s Facebook<\/a> page<\/em><\/p>\n

Ukrainian law draws a clear line between democratic participation and constitutional self-preservation. Part 2 of Article 3 of the Law on Referendum explicitly prohibits putting to a national vote any issue that threatens Ukraine\u2019s independence, state sovereignty, or territorial integrity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That is why neither territorial issues, nor questions of limiting the army, joining NATO, or the status of the Russian church or language in Ukraine can be put to a referendum. All of these would constitute a violation of Ukraine\u2019s state sovereignty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the issue of peace itself cannot be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for deliberation. Doing so would amount to an abuse of power and, under Ukrainian law, a criminal offence.<\/p>\n

Only one person is authorized to negotiate and sign peace agreements on behalf of Ukraine: the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine \u2014 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n

Once signed, such an interstate treaty must be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada in accordance with international law. That is the entire constitutional procedure. No referendums.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief is not only empowered, but obliged,<\/strong> to decide on the terms of a peace treaty with the occupier. Delegating this responsibility would mean evading it.<\/p>\n\t\t