Russia issues new ultimatum on Donbas, Zelenskyy says
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russia has put forward new conditions for ending the war. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine leave the Donbas within two months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while speaking to journalists at the Bucha Summit 2026.
New ultimatum from Russia
According to the President, Russia is setting new deadlines through the American side. The demand is that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the eastern part of the country.
"So far, what Russia wants and what partners are conveying — they see the end of the war or its hot phase as Ukraine leaving the East," Zelenskyy said.
He added that he is surprised anyone can take such statements seriously after all these years of war.
The President outlined the details of the new conditions from Russia:
- Ukraine must leave the Donbas within two months;
- In that case, they claim, the war will end.
"And if Ukraine does not withdraw within two months, Russia will seize the Donbas, and then there will be other conditions," he added.
If their goal is only the Donbas, it is unclear why they are threatening to move further.
"A logical question: if their goal is only the Donbas... then if they manage to seize it, why do they say they will go further and impose new conditions," the President noted.
This raises doubts about Russia’s true intentions.
According to the head of state, Moscow is currently trying to influence the United States.
Among the reasons, he cited the approaching US midterm elections. During this period, he said, the American side is forced to respond more actively in both domestic and foreign policy, and Russia is trying to exploit this moment.
The President had earlier warned that current developments are only part of a broader Russian strategy, noting that Moscow’s real intentions are far more extensive than publicly stated.
US–Russia contacts
Earlier, the Kremlin spoke of "interesting" proposals from the United States regarding a settlement of the war. It was about possible compromise options, but without any specifics.
In Washington, these signals have not been officially confirmed.
Zelenskyy, in turn, stressed that some proposals for ending the war have a serious flaw — they do not guarantee security for Ukraine. According to him, such ideas may only delay a new phase of aggression.
