Zelenskyy rejected exchanging the unoccupied part of Donbas for a peace deal with Russia

Ukraine is not ready to cede to Russia the part of Donbas that Russian forces have still been unable to occupy in exchange for a peace deal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set out this position at a press conference during his visit to Denmark, reports UNIAN.

One of the questions concerned pressure on Kyiv to secure territorial concessions.

“It is an easy way to negotiate with the Russians — pressure us to leave Donbas, and then a deal will be reached. We are not ready for such a deal because we are not ready to trust Putin,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The president acknowledged that it is easier to put pressure on the Ukrainian side. At the same time, he hopes that the United States and Europe will find a different approach to the negotiations. Ukraine, he stressed, needs clear and concrete security guarantees.

From the very beginning of the negotiations, Zelenskyy said, he had explained to U.S. representatives why the issue of Donbas could not be reduced to territory alone. It is about the people, their homes, and lives destroyed by Russian aggression.

“This is our people’s country. It is not real estate. It is not a matter of land. It is not a matter of square kilometers, or not just square kilometers. We are talking about various issues that are very sensitive for the people who live there, whose lives have been destroyed,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The president has repeatedly told U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff that the American side has far more leverage over Russia than Ukraine does, and can put pressure on Vladimir Putin.

At the same time, Kyiv will not agree to arrangements that would effectively strengthen Russia and the consequences of its aggression. The president explained that this position is not driven by personal ambitions, but by people’s security and the need to protect their homes.

“This is not Florida. Russia did not come to Florida and occupy people’s homes. So let us be absolutely clear: we are counting on your help, and we thank America, Jared, and Steve for their work, but our position remains unchanged,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

At the same time, the head of state said he had noticed a change in Kushner and Witkoff’s remarks.

“I see a change. I am very glad about what I am hearing. Let’s see what can be done,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Responding to a question about U.S. mediation in the talks in Abu Dhabi, the president stressed the need for U.S. support. In his view, it is the United States and Europe that can provide the most reliable security guarantees after the war ends. To achieve this, Western partners need to remain united.

Zelenskyy also intends to seek the restoration of direct American support for Ukraine, although he is not yet sure whether this can be achieved. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air defenses are being strengthened, in part through European funding under the PURL initiative, which provides for the purchase of American weapons and equipment.

“We need more air defense systems,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

According to the president, the United States is currently focused to a significant extent on the Middle East and the war in Iran. He is hoping for a ceasefire in the region and believes it could also help Ukraine.

This could, in particular, create additional opportunities to obtain interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. Zelenskyy explained that if deliveries of American air defense systems to the Middle East are reduced, some of the weapons could be redirected to Ukraine to strengthen its defenses during the winter.

We previously reported:

• Europe to join talks on ending the war in Ukraine
• Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready to freeze the war along the current front line
• 61% of Ukrainians categorically oppose handing Donbas over to Russia in exchange for security guarantees — poll
• Ukraine receives three times fewer missiles for Patriot: Zelenskyy suggests partners may be applying political pressure
• Patriot, Tomahawk, and Putin in a panic — Zelenskyy reveals what went on behind the scenes of a major conversation