{"id":635425,"date":"2026-11-11T09:15:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T07:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/2026\/11\/635425\/zelenskyy-rejected-exchanging-the-unoccupied-part-of-donbas-for-a-peace-deal-with-russia\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T09:18:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T07:18:30","slug":"zelenskyy-rejected-exchanging-the-unoccupied-part-of-donbas-for-a-peace-deal-with-russia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/en\/2026\/11\/635425\/zelenskyy-rejected-exchanging-the-unoccupied-part-of-donbas-for-a-peace-deal-with-russia\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelenskyy rejected exchanging the unoccupied part of Donbas for a peace deal with Russia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

One<\/strong> of the questions concerned pressure on Kyiv<\/strong> to secure territorial concessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an easy way to negotiate with the Russians \u2014 pressure us to leave Donbas<\/strong>, and then a deal will be reached. We are not ready for such a deal because we are not ready to trust Putin<\/strong>,\u201d Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> emphasized.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

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

\u201cThis is our people\u2019s 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,\u201d Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

At the same time, Kyiv<\/strong> will not agree to arrangements that would effectively strengthen Russia<\/strong> and the consequences of its aggression. The president explained that this position is not driven by personal ambitions, but by people\u2019s security and the need to protect their homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not Florida<\/strong>. Russia<\/strong> did not come to Florida<\/strong> and occupy people\u2019s homes. So let us be absolutely clear: we are counting on your help, and we thank America<\/strong>, Jared<\/strong>, and Steve<\/strong> for their work, but our position remains unchanged,\u201d Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> emphasized.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the same time, the head of state said he had noticed a change in Kushner<\/strong> and Witkoff<\/strong>\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see a change. I am very glad about what I am hearing. Let\u2019s see what can be done,\u201d Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

Zelenskyy<\/strong> also intends to seek the restoration of direct American support for Ukraine<\/strong>, although he is not yet sure whether this can be achieved. Meanwhile, Ukraine\u2019s air defenses are being strengthened, in part through European funding under the PURL<\/strong> initiative, which provides for the purchase of American weapons and equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need more air defense systems,\u201d Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> noted.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

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

<\/p>\n

We previously reported:<\/strong><\/p>\n