“Recently, President Zelensky often talks about the “free economic zone” in Donbas. In fact, it is not about the economy, but about the war, or rather about the possibilities of its termination. This is stated in the large article of UA.News “Free economic zone” in Donbas: what is it and what is the point of peace negotiations”. To understand the current rhetoric of the president, it is necessary to go back”, — write on: ua.news
Recently, President Zelensky often talks about the “free economic zone” in Donbas. In fact, it is not about the economy, but about the war, or rather about the possibilities of its termination.
This is discussed in a big way UA.News materials “Free economic zone” in Donbas: what is it and what is the point of peace negotiations”.
To understand the current rhetoric of the president, it is necessary to go back to the peaceful autumn of 2020. It was then, during the local elections, that Zelensky initiated a “all-Ukrainian poll” consisting of five questions. One of them sounded like this: “Do you support the creation of a free economic zone on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions?”. At that time, the idea of the EEZ was considered as a key element of the “soft reintegration” strategy.
“The OP hoped that the creation of an economic showcase in the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donbas would make the residents of the occupied territories think about returning to the unified state. It was a purely political and economic concept of peacetime, which, moreover, was not written down in detail. That is, it was about a beautiful idea, and not about its implementation in practice.” — writes UA.News.
During the entire period of the full-scale war, the term VEZ was not used, because all the efforts of the state were focused on physical survival. Donbas became the scene of the bloodiest battles in Europe since the Second World War. However, the idea did not die, but simply waited for a new political context.
“This context appeared at the end of 2025, when it became clear that a classic victory on the battlefield or complete de-occupation of the territories is unlikely in the near future… Today, when Zelensky talks about the creation of a free economic zone in Donbas, it is not about building new Apple production facilities or opening the headquarters of international banks in Bakhmut… The FEZ in the president’s rhetoric is not about money, but about peace negotiations and the demarcation line. The main secret of Zelensky’s current statements is that the term EEZ has actually become synonymous with the term “demilitarized zone” or “buffer zone.” In the context of the negotiations, the option of a de facto ceasefire and disarmament is being considered.” – says the material.
It is obvious that Donbas will not become a free economic zone in the coming years. So when politicians talk about the FEZ, it should be understood that this is only the language of diplomatic euphemisms.
“This is an attempt to find at least some formula for a ceasefire that would not look like a complete defeat of one of the parties. Donbas, on the other hand, remains a zone of destruction and war, and only real silence on the front and an end to bloodshed, not economic projects “on paper”, will in theory be able to bring life back there one day. – is summarized in the UA.News article.
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“Free Economic Zone” in Donbas: what is it and what is the point of peace negotiations?
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