Zelenskyy: US wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for security guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with Reuters, stated that the US is ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, but on the condition that Ukrainian troops withdraw from Donbas.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
According to the Ukrainian president, Washington is ready to finalize these guarantees as soon as Kyiv agrees to a withdrawal of forces.
However, Zelenskyy emphasized that such a step is dangerous not only for Ukraine but also for Europe, as Russia would in that case gain strong defensive positions that it failed to capture in battles.
He also noted that Donald Trump's policy, in his opinion, is aimed at increasing pressure on Ukraine.
At the same time, Zelenskyy thanked the US for continuing to supply missiles for Patriot systems, though they are still insufficient for the country's needs.
The Ukrainian side had previously stated that it was not ready to give up Donbas. Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not cede its territories to Russia, as this would not stop the conflict but only lead to new demands from Moscow.