Zelensky rules out withdrawal of troops from Donbas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out abandoning defensive positions in eastern Ukraine in exchange for a ceasefire.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, he stressed that such a move would open the way for Russian occupation forces to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory without resistance.
The head of state underlined the strategic importance of the region for the country’s overall security system. Donbas currently hosts some of the most fortified defensive positions, which are holding back enemy pressure and protecting central regions.
Zelensky also rejected the idea of trading territory for security guarantees from allies, pointing to what he described as the Kremlin’s double standards. He noted that Russia has involved foreign forces — including 10,000 North Korean soldiers — while simultaneously attempting to dictate to Ukraine the terms of military deployment on its own land.
The president made his position on the region and its residents clear: “I will never abandon Donbas and the 200,000 Ukrainians who live there. Why should I do that? Because Putin imposes it as a condition for peace? And will he immediately put forward new demands? No, I will not tolerate that.”
According to Zelensky, withdrawing Ukrainian forces would mean losing control of key strongholds. This would give Russia freedom of action to launch an offensive towards central Ukraine, threatening the very existence of the state.
He also expressed scepticism about the long-term presence of foreign contingents, drawing a parallel with developments in Afghanistan. Ukraine, he said, cannot rely solely on external assistance that depends on the political will of leaders in other countries.
The president modelled the uncertainty of international support: “Imagine that not Europeans but Americans send their troops — for how long? What happens if in 10 years it is not US President Donald Trump but another president who decides to withdraw them?”
Earlier, Zelensky warned of the risks of concessions over Donbas and reiterated that Ukraine has no intention of renouncing the region or recognising it as Russian territory under any circumstances.
