Zelenskyy says holding current front line is the most honest approach in negotiations
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference on December 20, said Ukraine's only fair position on the territorial issue in negotiations is to hold its current line of contact with Russian forces.
Zelenskyy explained that holding the current front line means Russians will remain in temporarily occupied areas of Donbas, while Ukraine retains control over the parts it currently holds. Any return of temporarily occupied territories must occur exclusively through diplomatic means.
"These are fundamental issues. In any format, no matter how we approach this matter, it is important for us that the Ukrainian authorities control the part of Donbas that we hold today. In my view, this is fair," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that the presence of Russian forces on Ukrainian territory is a major injustice. However, a temporary compromise solution must currently be sought.
Russians are issuing ultimatums and demanding that Ukraine leave Donbas. The Ukrainian side has already informed the US that it will not comply — such a move is both constitutionally impossible and unauthorized by the Ukrainian people.
The US is trying to find a compromise and has proposed a "free economic zone," which would supposedly have no troops or heavy weaponry. The challenge is that people live there, and local administration exists, so a police mission would be required. Who would carry out that mission remains unclear.
"I explained that it will not happen that we leave while the Russian army stays. We do not believe that such a free zone would be secure. We are confident that the Russian army would try to enter our territory at any moment, as it has done throughout the years of aggression. Therefore, this cannot happen," Zelenskyy added.
He also noted that Ukraine demands reciprocal steps in any troop withdrawal. If the Armed Forces of Ukraine pull back five kilometers, the same must be done by the Russians. If they pull back ten kilometers, the Russians must do the same.
"Then there is such a zone. It could be called a free economic zone or have another name if it comes with the appropriate benefits. But we still have to get to that point. The best and most honest option is to hold the ground where we stand. Fewer compromises and less dialogue. If the issue of a free economic zone arises, I told our partners — apologies, but this will be decided by the people," the president concluded.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that, as of now, there is no peace deal. He explained that an agreement exists only when leaders have signed it and the war has ended. Ukraine does not want to receive a "piece of paper" similar to the Budapest Memorandum. Every detail will be carefully worked out.
Zelenskyy confirmed that the territorial issue remains one of the most difficult. According to him, the positions of the two countries still do not align. However, it is important that the US hears Ukraine's position. He added that he does not believe the US is making any demands of Ukraine in the negotiations. According to the president, everything is perceived as Russia's demands for ending the war.
