Zelenskyy outlines three positions on Donbas
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that following the Geneva peace talks, Ukraine and Russia made progress on military issues. However, on political matters, particularly regarding Donbas, the parties hold differing positions, according to his interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.
Read also: Did Ukraine and Russia reach agreement in Geneva? Exclusive details of meeting
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the parties are closer to results on the military track, including a potential document outlining how ceasefire monitoring should be conducted immediately after hostilities stop.
However, the political track remains more complicated. Zelenskyy said there is no unified position, even within the trilateral format, noting that three different approaches exist regarding territorial issues.
He recalled that during 2025 peace talks in Saudi Arabia, the US proposed a ceasefire along the contact line with territorial questions to be resolved exclusively through diplomacy. Since then, discussions have evolved, including ideas related to a possible free economic zone.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports any format that allows dialogue to continue but does not imply acceptance of all proposals.
He added that Russia is currently proposing that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas, after which the war would allegedly end. Kyiv rejects this approach and will not legally recognize occupied territories as Russian.
"Look at Donetsk and Luhansk. This is, by the way, one of the strongest reasons why people who were pro-Russian or neutral chose not to join the ‘Russkiy mir’: it brings destruction. When we speak about occupied territories, we should in fact change the term, they are destroyed. And increasingly, even Russian military experts are questioning whether these territories are needed at all, because what remains is ashes, nothing else," Zelenskyy concluded.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot withdraw from Donbas, describing the territories, including those currently occupied, as Ukrainian. He framed a ceasefire along current positions as a significant compromise.
Why Donbas matters
Asked whether Ukraine could concede territory during his presidency, Zelenskyy said voluntary territorial concessions are not an option and questioned whether Ukrainian society would accept such a move given the human cost of defending the region.
He emphasized that Donbas is not only about territory but also about people, values, national independence, and long-term defence strategy.
Zelenskyy said strong security guarantees are required, particularly from the US, alongside a European presence in Ukraine and a large Ukrainian army, which he indicated should number around 800,000 personnel. He also highlighted the importance of fortified defensive lines in Donbas.
Peace talks
The third round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia took place in Geneva on February 17–18.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Kyiv and Moscow agreed to continue negotiations, although the date and location of the next round have not yet been announced.
The information was also confirmed by Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky, who said the talks would take place "soon."
Zelenskyy stated on Telegram that he would like the next round of negotiations with Russia to take place before the end of February, while warning that Moscow appears to be attempting to prolong the process.
