Ukraine will not give up the territories that could be used as a launch ramp for a new war, says Zelenski

Volodimir Zelenski said that Ukraine cannot accept a proposal of Russia to give up more of its territory in exchange for ceasing fire, because Moscow would use what would get as a launching ramp.

Zelenski says Ukraine will not give up AFP photo territories

The Ukrainian president said he did not believe that Donald Trump supports Russia's requests and expressed his hope that the American leader will act as an honest mediator with Vladimir Putin, scheduled in Alaska on Friday, The Guardian reports.

He added that there are no signs that Russia would prepare to implement a cessation of fire, in the context of information that small sabotage groups have pierced the Ukrainian defense in the east of Donbas, submitting about ten kilometers in three days. Zelenski also warned that Russia is preparing new offensives in three sectors of the front.

Talking to journalists before the Trump-Putin summit and the day before a virtual meeting with US and Europe leaders, Zelenski said he is convinced that Putin wants to dominate Ukraine “He does not want a sovereign Ukraine”.

Thus, Zelenski considers dangerous for the US to force Ukraine to accept, after the Alaska summit, the Russia's taking over by the parties of Donbas that Kiev still controls. The region targeted by Russia represents “About 90,000 square kilometers” From the country, he said.

Last week, Russia indicated for the first time that it could take into account a cessation of fire, in exchange for the withdrawal of Ukraine from the areas of Donbas. Although Trump later suggested that there could be a “Exchange of territories” Between Russia and Ukraine, Zelenski said that, in fact, Moscow only proposes “Not to advance further, without retiring from nowhere” And that there is no question of any exchange.

“We will not leave the donbas. We cannot do this”Zelenski said. “For the Russians, Donbas is a launching ramp for a new future offensive.” He stressed that the area required by Russia is too important strategically to be transferred, being a fortified region that protects the central cities of Ukraine.

“I have not heard anything – no proposal – to guarantee that a new war will not start tomorrow and that Putin will not try to occupy at least Dnipro, Zaporojie and Kharkov.” After Russia gets the whole Donbas, the Ukrainian leader added.

Zelenski said he wants Putin to agree with a ceasefire on the current lines of the front and that both parties will return all the prisoners of war and the missing children, before discussing the country's territories and security. “Any territorial issue cannot be separated from the security guarantees”he said.

The Ukrainian president said he will not participate in the Alaska summit – the first face -to -face meeting between Trump and Putin, with both in 2018 – but hopes that he will be followed by a “trilateral meeting” with the two, although Putin has so far refused to meet him.

Zelenski expressed his confidence in the unpredictable Trump, who said he could act as an honest mediator between him and Putin. “I don't think Putin's proposal is Trump's proposal”he said. “I think Trump represents the United States of America. He acts as a mediator – it is in the middle, not on the side of Russia. Not to be on our side, but be in the middle.”

He said he did not know exactly what Putin will discuss in Alaska, mentioning that “there is probably a bilateral agenda” with other topics of common interest, such as trade, sanctions and business. However, he stressed that Putin obtained a diplomatic gain through this meeting: “Look, excuse me, photos. He needs a photo with President Trump.”

Zelenski said that Russia desperately tries to show that it is about to win the war and that the Kremlin wants “To create a certain narrative, especially in the American press, according to which Russia progresses and loses” by intensifying the sabotage attacks in Donbas.

He acknowledged that “Russian groups advanced about ten kilometers in several places”, but said: “They have no equipment, but only weapons in their hands” and added that some have already been killed or captured.

However, this breach is inappropriate from the perspective of Kiev. In Alaska, Putin is likely to tell Trump that such successes show that Russia is gradually winning the three -year war in the East and that the future American support for Kiev would have wasted.