Zelensky emphasizes firmness on Donbas issue: battles for every civilian patch and strategic foothold for future offensives planned
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again reaffirmed that withdrawing Ukrainian troops from occupied territories of Donbas is not an option to be considered in any peace negotiations.
In an interview, he stated clearly that Donbas for Russia is not merely a part of Ukrainian territory, but a strategic launching pad for future large-scale offensives that threaten the country’s security.
He pointed out that approximately 30% of the uncontrolled area of Donetsk region could become a convenient base for new aggressive actions by the Russian army from various directions.
Zelensky expressed confidence that retreating from Donbas could enable Putin to push further toward regions like Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, or Kharkiv, leading to a full-scale escalation of the conflict.
He also highlighted that referencing the Constitution in talks with former U.S.
President Donald Trump is not accidental, but a firm reassurance that Ukraine will not surrender its territories.
“We cannot lose our territories; this is not just a political matter but also a security issue for the country,” Zelensky stressed.
His consistent stance is that a ceasefire must precede negotiations on other issues, and territorial matters are solely within Ukraine’s exclusive domain.
Zelensky’s previous statements reinforce this position: any territorial concessions to Russia, including land swaps, are unacceptable because they violate Ukraine’s constitutional sovereignty and fundamental national interests.
This firm stance has elicited mixed reactions in the U.S., with former President Donald Trump noting that territorial exchanges would require constitutional amendments, complicating diplomatic efforts for peace.