Introduction
In the shadows of war and diplomacy, one question continues to haunt the peace process between Russia and Ukraine: What should happen to the annexed territories?
From Crimea to parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, these regions sit at the heart of a legal, political, and human crisis — one that no side seems able to fully resolve.
But what if the solution didn’t lie solely in negotiations between governments, or in battlefield victories, but in a process that places the will of the people at the center — under the guardrails of international law?
⚖️ The Legal Dilemma: Two Worlds, Two Laws
At the core of the annexation issue lies a legal conflict of perspective:
-
According to Ukraine: These territories remain an inseparable part of its sovereign territory. Any annexation or foreign occupation is a violation of the Ukrainian Constitution and international law.
-
According to Russia: Through referendums it conducted in Crimea (2014) and other regions (2022), these areas "legitimately" joined the Russian Federation, and are now fully integrated as Russian regions under Russian law.
This clash of legal realities has created a deadlock: each side sees its claim as valid and non-negotiable. No solution seems possible without one side surrendering its legal position — a politically impossible move in the current climate.
🛑 The Limits of Saying "No"
The United Nations has consistently rejected the legitimacy of Russia’s annexations, declaring them illegal under international law. But this "no" — though clear — has limited effect without an enforceable remedy.
Without a concrete and legitimate process to determine the actual will of the people living in these territories, the international community risks being sidelined as the conflict drags on, and the affected populations remain trapped in ambiguity and instability.
🗳️ A Way Forward: The Case for a UN-Verified Referendum
In light of this, a UN-verified referendum offers a third way — one grounded in international law, human rights, and democratic legitimacy. It could allow the people of these regions to freely and fairly express their will about which country they wish to belong to.
But for such a referendum to be credible, it must meet several essential conditions:
The presence of any occupying military force — Russian or otherwise — would skew the vote. A neutral, secure environment must be established, possibly with the support of UN peacekeepers.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from these territories. They must be allowed to return and vote, or vote remotely under internationally verified procedures.
A genuine choice requires genuine debate. Voters must be allowed to hear from all sides, access independent media, and campaign freely — without fear or censorship.
Though Russia currently administers these territories, it must be treated as a foreign actor for the purposes of neutrality. Neither Russia, Ukraine, nor any other state should be allowed to fund or run referendum campaigns. Only local, independent groups should take part.
Organizations like the UN Electoral Assistance Division, the OSCE, and independent observers must oversee every stage — from voter registration to final vote count.
🔄 Why Both Sides Might Accept This
Interestingly, both Russia and Ukraine have expressed openness to peace talks — but neither has been able to propose a viable, face-saving solution to the territorial question. A UN-led referendum could:
-
Allow Ukraine to uphold its commitment to democracy and territorial integrity by involving displaced citizens and ensuring legal frameworks are respected.
-
Offer Russia a way to legitimize its claims — but only if the population genuinely supports them, which would need to be proven under strict international supervision.
-
Give local populations a voice, after years of being caught in geopolitical crossfire.
🕊️ Peace Needs People — Not Just Politics
The war in Ukraine has deeply scarred communities, reshaped borders, and shaken global norms. But at its core, this conflict isn’t just about maps or laws — it’s about people. Their futures, their identities, their right to choose.
A UN-verified referendum isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s the most democratic and lawful mechanism available to break the impasse without more bloodshed.
By giving voice to those most affected, and holding all parties to the same standard, the world might yet find a way to turn a conflict of sovereignties into a resolution based on sovereignty of the people.
