Zelenski rules out a withdrawal from Donbas: “We are ready to discuss compromises with the US, but not to receive ultimatums from the Russians”
Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo credit: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
The Ukrainian president stressed that his country is ready to make real compromises to achieve peace, but not at the expense of its independence or sovereignty, according to the Kyiv Post.
In an interview with Japan's Kyodo News in Kiev, Zelensky rejected Moscow's demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the region, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting in the full-scale war.
“We cannot withdraw from our territory. It is our real line of defense,” he declared, as negotiations with Russia continue.
Russia has sought to gain full control of the Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and has repeatedly conditioned negotiations on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops. Kiev has maintained that it will not cede territory under pressure.
“We are ready to discuss compromises with the United States. But not to receive ultimatums from the Russians again and again. They are the aggressors. Everyone has recognized this. This has not changed,” he said.
“An important compromise”
Zelenski added that many countries have acted or tried to act as mediators since the beginning of the war, especially in the Middle East and Asia.
“That's why our compromise is that we discuss compromises with the aggressor. 'We stand our ground' is an important compromise,” he said. “They have occupied almost 20% of our territory. And we are ready to discuss peace now, based on the principle of “We stand our ground.'' This is an important compromise,” Zelenskiy added.
Peace negotiations
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met in Geneva this week for their third US-brokered meeting in 2026 without progress on key points, including the territories.
Moscow wants Kiev to withdraw its forces from the remaining 20 percent of the eastern Donetsk region that Russia does not control, something Ukraine refuses to do.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that he could not yet confirm when and where a new round of talks on Ukraine would take place.
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