President Putin wants the people of the region around Stalingrad to have a referendum decide for themselves what they wish to call their city.
It is already called Stalingrad on six special days each year in honour of the Battle of Stalingrad. The issue is whether or not those six days should be extended to every day.

Pres. Putin is both supported and opposed in the Rada on this.

There is a sizeable faction who believe that all the people of Russia, not just those who live in or near Stalingrad should get to vote. That issue is the issue that is presently being debated (local referendum or national referendum).

Really, the issue is highly non-controversial.