No withdrawal from Donbas. Zelenskyy highlights risks of 'third war' if Russia receives concessions

Russia proposes that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas

Zelenskyy noted that, in his opinion, the story is not about Russia offering Ukraine to fully withdraw from Donbas and, in exchange, them withdrawing from some territory as well.

"In my view, basically, they are just proposing to stop advancing further, not to withdraw from somewhere. And I think that’s the point. Because the situation where withdrawing from Donbas is a condition for a ceasefire is a rather conditional exchange. It means they are offering you to withdraw from territory you control, and in return, a ceasefire — meaning no further advances," the president explained.

He clarified that the Russians probably understand that they won’t get Kharkiv or the Sumy region anyway.

"And, honestly, the Kinburn Spit, which blocks the port of Mykolaiv, they don’t have forces there. It’s not strategic for them. They just want us to withdraw from Donbas, to hand Donbas over to them," he emphasized.

What territorial exchange configuration do the Americans propose?

The Ukrainian president emphasized that Ukrainian forces will not withdraw from Donbas.

"We cannot do that. Everyone forgets the first part — our territories are illegally occupied. For the Russians, Donbas is a springboard for a future new offensive. If we withdraw from Donbas voluntarily or under pressure, we will open the door to a third war," Zelenskyy stressed.

He explained that just as Crimea was 100% a springboard for an offensive to the south of Ukraine, Donbas serves as a springboard allowing Russia not to care about Ukrainian citizens, not to use its own troops, avoid mobilization, and instead use separatists for the needs of the Russian army.

"By the way, one of the strongest parts of their offensive troops was precisely people recruited from our territories occupied since 2014. In other words, a springboard was formed for a full-scale invasion. After the full-scale invasion, if today we withdraw from Donbas — from our fortifications, from the terrain, from the heights we control — we will clearly open a springboard for the preparation of a Russian offensive," he explained.

At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that in a few years, Russian President Vladimir Putin will have an open path toward the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

"And not only that. Also toward Kharkiv. Therefore, in my view, any question of territories cannot be separated from security guarantees. Otherwise, now they want to gift them about 9,000 square kilometers, which is roughly 30% of the Donetsk region, and this is a springboard for their new aggression,” the head of Ukraine concluded.

Are there demands for Ukraine to give up Donbas?

Zelenskyy noted that US special envoy Steve Witkoff said there should be territorial concessions from both sides.

"That’s how it sounded. And probably, Putin wants us to withdraw from Donbas. So it didn’t sound like America wants us to withdraw. After we held two more NSA meetings, it became clear what Putin wants. This is not a proposal from Trump or Witkoff," he said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that the Russian plan is very simple. He expects Russia to put pressure. Moreover, Zelenskyy said he feels pressure daily but explained that this is not what he fears.

"What are we afraid of? There is a high likelihood that Putin will say, 'Let Zelenskyy withdraw his troops from Donbas — then there will be, for example, a ceasefire.' We will hear the details of this and respond. And Trump might say, for example, 'The Ukrainians will have to do this.' Or Trump at a meeting might tell Putin, 'We will decide the territorial question as a trio. Or you will decide the territorial question without me,'" the head of Ukraine explained.

In case of refusal, the Ukrainian president believes Trump may impose sanctions on both countries and lift them only after the territorial issue is resolved.

"Of course, I would like to see America’s position given how everything started — our territory was occupied, Ukrainians are being killed, and after that, I’m told, 'Listen, if you want the killing to stop, you have to withdraw.' What are the security guarantees? Withdraw from Donetsk? And what’s the compromise? Will we join NATO? The EU?" he said.

The Ukrainian president explained that so far, he has not heard anything like that.

"I haven’t heard anything — simply no proposal that would guarantee that a new war won’t start tomorrow and that Putin won’t try to occupy at least Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv. He already started two wars under different American presidents — what will stop him from starting a third?” the president explained.

Why does Putin want the Donetsk region?

"How much territory does Russia have? What is a third of our Donetsk region to them? What is the entire territory of our country to them? They have many times more unpopulated land than our state. The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. So, is it really a question of territory? No. What is Putin doing? He needs to occupy our country not because of the territory. He doesn’t want a sovereign Ukraine. That’s the whole game," Zelenskyy said.

He explained that all these territories mean nothing to the Russian President. He said he wants to explain this issue clearly so that everyone understands it.

"If the question is not about kilometers, then what’s the point of withdrawing from the 9,000 square kilometers of Donetsk that we currently control? Just to help him prepare a new military operation? That means we need security guarantees that will first and foremost preserve our state, a sovereign state, our independence. Those who make decisions need to answer these questions. Then it will be easier," he emphasized.

At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that under such conditions, Ukraine would perceive Putin’s demands differently.

Trump and Putin meeting

This week, US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a historic meeting. This meeting might mark the beginning of the end of the war in Ukraine, but the terms of the future peace raise many questions.

RBC-Ukraine has gathered everything known about the upcoming summit.

The American Institute for the Study of War has explained why giving Putin the rest of Donbas is not an option.