Zelensky reported a large-scale Russian attack on Ukrainian energy facilities

Washington believes that the statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on holding a territorial referendum is progress towards a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.

As BAKU.WS reports, this was reported by Axios portal citing sources.

A White House representative told the portal that the US is also ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees based on NATO's Article Five. "We want to provide Ukrainians with security guarantees that, on the one hand, won't be empty words, but on the other hand, will be reliable enough. We are ready to send this document to Congress for a vote," said the American official.

On Thursday, December 11, Zelensky claimed that the issue of territories within the framework of a peaceful settlement in Ukraine should be put to a referendum. Negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine intensified after Washington proposed its 28-point plan in November. Kyiv and its European partners expressed dissatisfaction with the document and tried to significantly adjust it. On December 8, Zelensky promised to send the US a shortened 20-point version of the peace plan, developed during his meeting with European leaders. On December 10, they presented Trump with a proposal regarding Ukraine's territorial concessions as part of the conflict settlement plan.