Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a clear statement that Ukraine will not accept any Russian proposal to relinquish the Donbas region as part of a ceasefire agreement. He expressed concerns that such a concession could serve as a launchpad for further Russian military actions.
Zelensky’s remarks came before a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has indicated that any potential peace agreement might involve “some swapping of territories,” which aligns with reports suggesting that Putin may demand Ukraine yield control of certain areas in the Donbas.
Amidst these discussions, Russian forces have intensified their military operations, achieving notable advancements near the town of Dobropillia, with reports of a 10-kilometer gain in a short span. Zelensky confirmed that while the advances occurred in “several spots,” Ukraine’s military is prepared to respond effectively to these incursions.
He also noted the possibility of Russia aiming to create a narrative of progress before the Trump-Putin meeting, potentially framing it as a situation where Russia is advancing and Ukraine is in retreat. The Donbas region, comprised of Luhansk and Donetsk, has seen Russian occupation since 2014, with Moscow currently controlling nearly all of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk.
Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance against ceding any part of the Donbas, citing constitutional obligations for any territorial changes to involve a referendum. He remarked that withdrawing from the region would create vulnerabilities for further Russian offensives.
As the White House has termed the Alaska meeting as a “listening exercise,” both Trump and Zelensky have expressed differing expectations regarding the outcomes of this summit. Zelensky has voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of talks that exclude Ukraine from the discussions, highlighting concerns about the implications of agreements made without its involvement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g6qd3k2peo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss