Zelensky: I will never abandon Donbas and the 200,000 Ukrainians who live there

Discussions on a 20-point agreement to end the war have reached a deadlock over the issue of territories. Russia is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas, while the United States is proposing a territorial exchange, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

The exchange does not serve Ukraine’s interests, he noted. Moscow would need significant resources to control the territories if Ukraine leaves them.

"We have stalled on a 20-point plan and on the issue of territorial control. The Americans are proposing a territorial exchange, the russians want our withdrawal. The exchange does not align with our interests; moreover, moscow will need a lot of resources to control the territories we leave: they know that we will want to take back what was taken from us. Why should we exchange our territory for another that is also part of our homeland?"

The president added that he considers the russian demand for Ukraine to unilaterally withdraw its troops from Donbas to be sheer madness. Ukraine needs a strong defensive line.

"First of all, the russians do not want foreign troops in Ukraine. And I believe Europe should be more decisive on this issue. I do not doubt that there are foreign troops in russia — for example, 10,000 North Korean soldiers. I do not understand why moscow should decide which troops can be on our territory. But I want to say clearly: I will never abandon Donbas and the 200,000 Ukrainians who live there. Why should I do this? Because putin sets it as a condition for peace? And then he will put forward new demands? No, I will not agree to that. Moreover, our best defensive fortifications are located there: if we withdraw, the russians will have an open path to the center of the country. Even if we assume that Americans, not Europeans, send their troops — for how long? I do not want to draw parallels, but let us recall the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. What will happen if in 10 years another U.S. president decides to withdraw them? We need a strong Ukrainian defensive line", - Zelensky emphasized.

It should be recalled that putin is deliberately putting forward a demand regarding Donbas that is completely unacceptable to Kyiv, as he currently sees no need to make compromises.